High Powered Government of Nepal Delegation arrives in Dar-es-Salaam on 29th October for a one week study tour
The Nepalese Delegation was particularly impressed with the excellent quality of physical works in Tanzania's decentralized planning system, and the existence of road maintenance funds at the village level. This photo depicts labour-based construction in the village of Kigangama. Photo by Adam Rogers/UNCDF.
November 2006 - A high powered ten (10) men delegation from the government of Nepal is arriving in Dar-es-salaam on 29th October for a one week study tour. The delegation, led by the minister for Local Development, Honourable Mr. Rajendra Prasad comprise of high level policy personnel namely: Mr. Swoyambhu Man Amafya, Secretary, Prime Minister's Office and Council of Ministers; Mr. Bhagabati Kumar Kafle, Secretary, Ministry of Local Governments; Mr. Ramashore Khanal, Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Mr. Ganga Datta Awasthi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Local Development; Mr. Bishnu Nath Shama, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Local Development; Mr. Mahesh Prasad Dahai, Under Secretary, Ministry of Local Development; Mrs. Mandira Poudyal, Under Secretary, National Planning Commission (NPC); Mr. Krishana Prasad Sapkota, Chairperson, Association of District Development Committee of Nepal (ADDCN); and Mr. Bishnu Puri, Project Manager, Decentralized Financing and Planning programme. The delegation will be met at the J.K. Nyerere International Airport by government officials in the Prime Ministers Office Regional Administration and Local Government, representatives of the United Nations Capital Development Fund/United Nations Development Programme, staff from the Local Government Reform Programme (LGRP) and the WB supported Local Government Support Project (LGSP).
The delegation is visiting the country at the invitation of the government, and in recognition of Tanzania's Policy on Local Government Reform (decentralization) and its successful implementation through the Local Government Reform Programme (LGRP) and the WB supported Local Government Support Project (LGSP). The government of Tanzania is well known for her policy of decentralization and its implementation which, is at the advanced stage. The delegation is therefore keen to learn the experience of Tanzania on reform process and its impact on local governments. While the reforms in Tanzania cover many aspects, the delegation is more interested on issues pertaining to fiscal decentralization mainly; the performance and incentive based system, the Local Government Capital Development Grant System steered by the LGSP and LGRP; formula based block grants in sectors; the formula based allocation of funds to local governments used by the government, Ministry of Finance; and the working of the Common Basket Fund (CBF) Mechanism of the Local Government Reform Programme. Others include the administrative decentralization (human resources) and the role of the Association of Local Authorities in Tanzania.
The lessons and experience learned from Tanzania are important to the government of Nepal and comes at an opportune time. It is important because the 2006/2007 budget speech for the government of Nepal made provision for performance based funding system and further devolvement of power and administrative capabilities to lower levels of government. It is an opportune time because for a number of years, the government of Nepal in collaboration with the United Nations Capital Development Fund and UNDP has been piloting decentralized financing and planning and now is about to roll it out. This tour is crucial to the government of Nepal as the lessons learned will; among others guide policy decision on central-lower level government relationship.
While in Tanzania, the delegation will pay courtesy call on the Hon. Minister of State, Mizengo Pinda, PMO RALG, and Hon. Minister of Finance, Zakia Megji. The delegation will have intensive discussion with staff in the Prime Ministers Office Regional Administration and Local Government, Ministry of Finance, United Nations Capital Development Fund, United Nations Development Programme and development partners supporting the Local Government Reform Programme (LGRP). The team will also visit Ilala Municipal Council in Dar es Salaam, Arusha Municipal Council, Arumeru District Council and Zanzibar. The delegation will conclude their tour on Friday, 3rd November 2006.
