Contacts:
In Dhaka: Mehrin A. Mahbub (880-2) 8159001
mmahbub@worldbank.org
In Washington: Erik Nora (202) 458 4735
enora@worldbank.org DHAKA, October 15, 2009: The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of Bangladesh has the institutional capacity to undertake most reforms, with no more than routine budgetary spending and staffing authorizations needed from other agencies, to better serve its vision of developing infrastructure for the benefit of the country's citizens. Speakers today at a workshop held on "Efficient Delivery of Rural Infrastructure" stressed on LGED's excellent reputation for professionalism, but agreed with the department that significant challenges remain and these have to be addressed to promote efficient delivery of rural infrastructure. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the World Bank jointly organized this workshop. Following LGED's efforts to improve governance and operation performance, an Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) was carried out with the support of World Bank to take a closer look at LGED operations. "Effective implementation of the plan will require long-term commitment of LGED management, the LGD and partner agencies, politicians at all levels, the civil society and community groups. LGED will need to continue its commitment to maintain its high level of professionalism and to continue being a good example for other government agencies" said Tahseen Sayed, Operation Advisor, World Bank. "The payoff for such commitment will be more effective use of scarce public funds, and faster progress towards poverty reduction in rural Bangladesh." The workshop presented and discussed the Implementation Plan, drawn up from the ORA findings, listing risks facing LGED operation, measures to mitigate them, the responsible and cooperating agencies, milestones, dates, and estimated resources required. "I am happy to learn that the exercise once again confirms the LGED's excellent reputation for professionalism, including quality delivery of many contracts on time and on budget. However, the organization needs to have a dynamic process to manage such changes, so that it can remain effective" said Mr. Md. Monowar Hossain Chowdhury, MP and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee, MOLGRD&C. "LGED has the reputation as an "island of excellence" within the Government of Bangladesh, with high standards of professionalism, and comparatively robust risk management systems. This reputation stems in part from LGED's willingness to undergo periodic organizational reviews and to implement the recommendations of each review. The present endeavor will help LGED to strengthen in its institutional capacity enhancing operational efficiency" said Mr. Monzur Hossain Secretary, Local Government Division (LGD)
The ORA Implementation Plan presents realistic solutions to minimize or eliminate operational shortcomings facing LGED, and highlights ways to monitor the activities of the LGED and LGD to ensure lasting compliance. It focuses on nine aspects, and provides detailed schedules for remediation for each: internal organization; information and communication technology; quality control; engineering design and costing; maintenance and asset management; road safety; land use and resettlement; financial management, and; procurement.
"The Department has the authority to improve its fiduciary and administrative management, construction and maintenance methods for infrastructure, and interaction with other government bodies" said Mr. Md. Wahidur Rahman, Chief Engineer, Local Government and Engineering Department. "Overcoming both governance and operational shortcomings will help LGED be more effectively involved in thousands of projects in rural and urban areas across the country." The workshop was attended by participants from Government, Union Parishads, civil society and international partner organizations.
For more information on the World Bank in Bangladesh, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/bd
Regards,
Salam, AE, LGED
| 
