Highlighting
the perspective of general citizens on government projects, Honorable Finance
Minister, Mr. Janardan Sharma instructed the completion of projects within the
stipulated time while maintaining quality, and urged all participants to utilize
scientific tools and techniques for project implementation. The Honorable Minister
also thanked the World Bank for its continued support to the Government of
Nepal.
The concluding meeting was held at
the Ministry of Finance with a hybrid model consisting of in-person as well as
virtual presence considering the health protocol. The meeting discussed on
issues that remain unresolved at the line ministry level and of strategic
importance which required high level attention. The meeting discussed the
impacts of COVID-19 on project implementation that had led to delays. In
addition, other generic implementation issues such as weak capacity in project
management especially at provincial and local levels, frequent turnover of
civil servants, procurement delays, safeguard related issues, and slow
disbursement were discussed.
Focusing
on coordinated and joint efforts for delivering development impacts, Finance
Secretary, Mr. Madhu Kumar Marasini requested the participants to build a
common understanding to improve the overall implementation environment of the
projects. He expressed his appreciation of the assistance provided by the World
Bank even during difficult times.
The annual stocktaking exercise is
organized to review the performance of ongoing projects, review implementation
challenges, and identify measures to resolve such challenges collaboratively.
Sectoral meetings that were organized with the relevant line ministries under
the chair of respective Secretaries discussed in depth key results achieved
under each project, underlying issues and challenges, and agreed actions to
resolve such issues. The World Bank’s current project portfolio in Nepal covers
energy, transport, earthquake housing reconstruction, education, health, social
protection, environment, urban development, water & irrigation, agriculture
and livestock, and public financial
management sectors.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted
the pace of development works in Nepal, we are encouraged by the government’s
efforts to strengthen implementation and deliver results amid the pandemic’s
challenges,” stated Faris Hadad-Zervos,
World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. “The
pandemic has also provided an opportunity to recalibrate our approach to
improve project implementation and capital spending, whereby our projects
deliver timely results for the benefit of Nepalis.”
The portfolio review was attended
by Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, and Director Generals from related
ministries and departments, National Planning Commission, Financial Comptroller
General Office, and representatives from the World Bank and project teams.
