Implementation Strategy Of the project
Improvement of ponds, canals across the country
In Bangladesh, Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy since it comprises about 16.36% of the country’s GDP (Bangladesh National Parliament, 2013) and employs around 45% of the total labor force (BSS Survey). Water sector contribute a lot in this regard. 17% of ponds are derelict and probably dry up in the dry season among 1,288,222 ponds and 6,536 number of khas canals /dead rivers with a total length of 27,044.03 kilometers which are need to be improved as per LGED in house survey. There is an ample scope to improve these ponds and canals up to the usable standard for income generating and related economic activities.
The government has approved a project with an estimated cost of BDT 159488 lakh with a target to improve ponds (khas and institutional)and canals throughout the country. In this project 1700 km of canals, 1900 acres of ponds /dighies are planned to be improved and 2500 no’s Ghatlas are be constructed and 30% length of embankment are be planted.
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the guidance of the Local Government Division (LGD) of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD&C) establishing a Project director Office (PDO) within IWRM Unit of LGED to manage and coordinate the Project activities. The PMO will be headed by a Project Director(PD), who will be appointed from one of the full-time Senior Executive Engineers (EE) with supporting officers and staff. However, a number of agencies are involved with the implementation process. The Chief Engineer LGED will provide overall guidance and directions for successful implementation of the project.
Project Implementation Office (PIO)
The PIO is responsible for overall implementation of the Project, which includes planning; budgeting; procurement for goods, works and services, coordination, management and monitoring of progress. A senior-level experienced graduate civil engineer from LGED has been deputed on full time basis as the Project Director (PD) to coordinate the whole Project. The Project is implemented in all over Bangladesh. Under the guidance of the Chief Engineer of LGED, the PD is supervising and coordinate the overall activities of the Project and be responsible for the successful implementation of all civil works, procurement of equipment’s and goods, preparation of work plan and budget and making close contact and liaison with the Ministries, and other agencies concerned.
Divisional and Regional offices:
Additional Chief Engineer (ACE) in division and Superintending Engineer (SE) in region will monitor and submit report to ACE, IWRMU. Divisional and regional offices will provide necessary assistance in implementing the Project.
Executive Engineer at District Level:
At district level, the Executive Engineer of LGED supervise, coordinate and implement all development works of the Project. One Assistant Engineer, Sub-Assistant Engineers along with other necessary supporting staff are appointed to assist him. Before and during implementation of development works, he closely coordinates the district administration and related committees. He ensures quality and timely completion of all Project works. He also maintains all accounts and face all audit observations of the Project.
Upazila Engineer at Upazila Level:
Upazila Engineer and his supporting staff working at the Upazila level assist the Executive Engineer in implementing the Project works under the Upazila concerned. One Sub-Assistant Engineer from Project is appointed to assist the Upazila Engineer. He ensures the participation of Upazila Jolmohal Management committee in the implementation of khal, ponds and Ghats’s development works. Community Organizer (CO) at Upazila Engineer’s office assists the UE in social, environmental and participatory issues. Upazila Engineer also ensures quality and timely completion of all Project works.Topo-graphic survey, estimation of earthwork, running and final measurements etc. will be per formed digitally.
Design, Supervision and quality control:
In the preliminary stage standard design prepared under IWRM Unit will be used for this project. The design may vary scheme to scheme and therefore it will be adjusted to fit and meet the actual requirement. These designs will be looked after by the Design Unit of LGED and be upgraded if necessary.
LGED district offices will be responsible for implementation and quality control of the schemes with assistance from the LGED upazila offices. The laboratory of each district played important role in this regard. The project staff also provide necessary support. Superintendent engineer(region) assist them by giving guidance.
Technical Specifications:
The technical specification describe in LGED rate schedule will be followed and the estimate will be prepared and updated with the latest LGED Rate Schedule for this project.
Contract document preparation and award:
The contract for civil work are planned to be executed through contractors. E-gp will be adopted for inviting tender. Project director’s office is responsible for preparing tender documents. Executive engineer’s office at district invite tender and evaluate and finally chief engineer will approve the contract. The earthwork of selected ponds will be implemented through labor contracting society.
The unique challenges and risks that the project have to be overcome:
A remarkable number of ponds and canals are dispossessed by lease holders after the lease period is over or illegal occupiers. Local conflict borne from personal interest, envy, and dispossession, legal matters may hinder the implementation of the project.
Removal spoilage, housing on the bank, movement of excavator, huge number trees on the bank and scar city of land for soil etc. are the practical problems for smooth implementation of project
Mitigation measures:
The Local Conflict Resolution Committee (LCRC) headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer will provide legal support to resolve conflicts. All the challenges will overcome by regular discussion and meeting with Upazila and District Jolmohal Management Committee (UJMC/DJMC). An asset management plan is prepared to manage the excavated soil and related issues.
Upazila Jolmohal Management committee:
In every stage of implementation process Upazila Jolmohal Management Committee (UJMC) headed by upazila nirbahi officer will be involved. The canal/dighi will be handed over to UJMC for operation and maintenance after improvement.
Role of N.G.O:
The regional N.G.O will deployed in implementing income generating activities and rehabilitating unemployed communities.
Role of agency and inter- ministerial committee’s:
The committees are as follows:
Project implementation Committee (PIC):
A Project Implementation Committee (PIC) will he established headed by the local
Engineering Department [LGED) to provide overall assistance and directive suggestions for successful' implementation of the project.
Progress Monitoring Committee (PMC):
Project Steering Committee (PSC):
A Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be established in the Local Government Division (LGD), chaired by the Secretary, LGD to provide overall guidance and policy directions
Inter-ministerial Evaluation Committee (IMEC):
An inter-ministerial Project Evaluation Committee (IPEC) headed by the Additional Secretary(Development), Local Government Division (LGED) will be established to evaluate the updated progress, successes and pin point bottlenecks/obstacles (if any) in smooth implementation of the project and provide suggestions, recommendations and way outs for successful implementation of the project.
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