At the end of the four-day review mission Mr. Hun Kim, Director Social Sector ADB, accompanied by the PD (SDSSP), visited Districts Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar TMA on April 30, 2005 to see the progress on works being undertaken by the local governments. This visit also meant to understand the process and procedures being followed by the LGs in the utilization of SDSSP conditional grants.

Tando Allahyar TMA: This was the first stop over where the TMA staff briefed the director about the process adopted by the TMA for preparation of the WSS sector plan. TMO informed that initially the Nazim called for proposals from the councilors for the rehabilitation, expansion and improvement of existing facilities. Proposals were then technically verified by the concerned committees and officials and submitted to the council for prioritization and approval. After the receipt of the funds the tenders were floated through English, Urdu and Sindhi language newspapers. The council allowed the execution of six approved works through lowest bidders. The TMA has maintained separate files for each scheme and the process, including the technical vetting, is carried out in line with the laid down procedures. The Director also visited an ongoing scheme in the nearby town of Nasarpur, where a 2000-meter long drainage scheme was being extended to provide the sanitation facility to the neighboring villages. Naib Nazim of the Union council received the Director and briefed that approximately 100 meters work had been completed within seven days and after the completion the people of union council would have better sanitation facility. The contractor assured that the whole scheme would be completed by 31st May 05. The Director expressed his satisfaction over the pace of the work and hoped that all other schemes in the TMA would also be completed in due time.

District Mirpur Khas: Second stop was at the district headquarters of Mirpur Khas where the meeting with the district government functionaries was held in the office of the DCO. EDOs Finance & Planning, Education and Health briefed about the process and progress on the SDSSP sector plan. EDO (F&P), the focal person informed that all the stakeholders were consulted before the preparation of the plan. The DCO informed that out of the share of 49 million the DG has allocated 29 million for education and rest for the health sector. He also informed that the procedure for execution of the works has been completed and the works would start within next 10 days time. Concerned EDOs shared the project documents with the Director and informed that separate files were being maintained for each approved work. Here the Director was also informed that technical sanction for the civil works upto Rs.20 million is given by the EDO works who is an officer of level 19 or 20. Schemes beyond that amount are sent to the Chief Engineer, Works & Services department.

District Hyderabad: Lastly, the Director visited Hyderabad where he met the DCO, EDOs and the TMOs of the concerned TMAs. Process adopted by the district and the TMAs for the preparation of the sector plans and utilization of the funds was discussed by the officials of the concerned LGs. The DCO informed that out of its share of Rs. 104 million the district government has allocated approximately 59 million have been allocated for health remaining 45 million for the education sector. The DCO informed that district government would funds on the provision of basic needs like medicines and medical equipment for the operation theaters and cardiac units. He apprised that since all the major roads pass through the Hyderabad districts and there have been incidents of road accidents therefore the district government has resolved to upgrade the existing facilities near the highways into emergency trauma centers. Concerned EDOs also shared the project documents for each work that was approved by the council. They also informed that the tenders have been published in the newspapers and the execution on the work would start very soon. TMO, Tando Muhammad Khan suggested that since the since there was no transport facility available in the TMA and the TO (I&S) is responsible for the execution and monitoring therefore the TMAs may be allowed to purchase at least one vehicle (Suzuki jeep) from the program funds to facilitate them in the execution and the monitoring functions. The Director responded that if allowed by the GoS the Bank would have no objection to such expenditure provided it was clearly meant to enhance the efficiency of the TMA staff.