Accra:Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan emphasized the importance of initiating development projects that prioritize public interest and undergo thorough feasibility assessments. He highlighted these points during a meeting with Junko Takahashi, the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), held at the Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting covered the progress of various ongoing projects funded by JICA under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and explored opportunities for future collaboration. Dr Khan expressed gratitude to Japan, recognizing it as one of Bangladesh's key development partners, and urged for the initiation of new projects to further strengthen local government institutions.
The minister underscored the necessity of feasibility studies, using the metro rail project as an example, suggesting that extending the service to Tongi or Joydebpur could have increased its benefits. He also stressed the need for careful feasibility assessments for projects targeting haor regions' development.
JICA informed that collaborations are ongoing in several sectors, including community services, water supply, sanitation, regional development, waste management, disaster management, and haor development. The JICA chief representative reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperation in these areas.
The meeting reviewed the Urban Development and City Governance Project (UDCGP) and the Southern Chattogram Regional Development Project (SCRDP), both in collaboration with the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The minister instructed the relevant authorities to ensure timely project completion.
JICA also pledged full support for the Phase-II of the Upazila Governance and Development Project (UGDP-II), set to be implemented nationwide through the Local Government Division. Dr Khan stressed the importance of bolstering local government institutions to enhance democracy at the grassroots level, stating that there is no alternative to increasing their capacity.
A committee will be formed, comprising representatives of development partner agencies and the ministry, to strengthen coordination and enhance the effectiveness of development project planning and execution. Present at the meeting were JICA Senior Representative Morikawa Yoko, Local Governance Adviser Akira Munakata, Director General of the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Wing Shibir Bichitra Barua, and other senior officials of the ministry.