PM asks authorities to complete post-quake reconstruction

Kathmandu, Dec. 22

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has instructed the concerned bodies to complete the remaining works of the post-quake reconstruction.

Speaking at the 21^st meeting of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA)'s Steering Committee on Wednesday, he assured that there wouldn't be shortage of budget for the remaining works.

He also thanked national and international agencies, including the political parties, governments of all levels, academic community, media personnel, local community, non-government organisations, civil society and all earthquake victims, for their direct and indirect support in the reconstruction drive.

Vice Chairman of the committee and CPN (UML) Leader Subash Nembang suggested keeping the experience and learning of reconstruction in institutional memory. For that, all knowledge and learning obtained during the reconstruction process should be transferred to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRMMA) and made more autonomous and powerful, he said.

Likewise, the committee has thanked the NRA leadership and the entire NRA family for successfully completing the works related to the reconstruction of the structures damaged by the earthquake of 2015 and the rehabilitation of the displaced families.

Chief Executive Officer of the NRA, Sushil Gyawali, said that disaster resilient development should be taken as an integral part of the national development plan and the NDRRMA should be provided with necessary legal management and manpower.

The meeting also made decision regarding the transfer of functions and rights, liabilities, assets, accounts, documents and other details under NEA.

The NDRRMA will now facilitate, coordinate and monitor the reconstruction and rehabilitation works being operated by the NRA.

Similarly, responsibility of preparing an integrated report about the recurrent and capital expenditure and audit reports under the NRA is also given to the NDRRMA.

In addition, the agency will also look after the seismic housing reconstruction projects being implemented as per the agreement with the World Bank.

The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction under the Ministry of Urban Development will look after the physical construction work of the Dharhara Tower, Singha Durbar, Ranipokhari's Shantibatika section, Harihar Bhawan and Ranodwip Durbar under Narayanhiti Museum. Ranipokhari will be handed over to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

The documents have been handed over to the concerned ministries and departments in the last week of August under the Central Project Implementation Unit (Building), Central Project Implementation Unit (Education) and Central Project Implementation Unit (Grant Management and Local Infrastructure).

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the 'International Conference on Reconstruction of Nepal' held in Kathmandu from December 7 to 8 in the midst of the epidemic of COVID-19.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Devendra Poudel, and Minister for Urban Development, Ram Kumari Jhakri were also present at the meeting. Likewise, Chief Secretary Shankar Das Bairagi, Chief Executive of NDRRMA Anil Pokharel and other officials were present at the meeting.

The tenure of the National Reconstruction Authority is coming to an end on December 26, according to the provisions of Section 3 (3) of the Earthquake Affected Structures Reconstruction Act, 2015 and the corresponding decision of the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal last December. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 23 December 2021.