The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Experts yesterday suggested that all water development projects in Bangladesh be brought under sector-wide approach.

The water development projects should also be relocated to programme approach from the project approach, they recommended at a training programme on sector-wide approach in the city.

The experts presented the recommendations at the closing session of the three-day training programme, jointly organised by the Water Resources Ministry and the Netherlands Embassy at a city hotel. Water Resources Secretary Syed Mohammad Jobayer attended the closing session as the chief guest. ERD Secretary Aminul Islam Bhuiyan, Water Resources Ministry Joint Secretary Mahbubul Alam, Water Development Board Director General HS Mojadded Faruq and IUCN Country Representative Prof Dr Ainun Nishat spoke on the occasion. The experts said that earlier it took a long time in implementing a project and making assessment of cost. Even the development partners could not give any prior idea about how and when their money would be spent.

These problems could be resolved through sector-wide approach to accelerate the pace of work, the speakers opined. The water resources secretary said the development partners are now supporting the initiatives to run the ministries with sector-wide approach giving priority to poverty reduction.

He said Bangladesh needs huge funds for implementation of its projects in water resources sector. The assistance of the development partners could be better utilised, if the ministries can take sector-wide approach, he added. Denmark-based Training for Development Dot Net conducted the training programme while Centre for Environment and Geographical Information Services carried out the managerial responsibilities.

Government officials of the ranks of joint and deputy secretaries, and representatives from NGOs, donor agencies and the media took part in the training programme.