RAP2 is required to
strengthen institutional capacity at a central level within the Ministry
of Local Development, and the Department of Local Infrastructure Development
and Agricultural Roads (DoLIDAR). Also within the RAP Districts capacity
strengthening is needed at a local level within District Development
Committees, Village Development Committees and at a community level.
At
the central level this involves training in road construction and
maintenance procedures according to the DoLIDAR training needs survey
and plan applicable for the period 2008-11. Also support is provided
to the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) in the Rural Transport Infrastructure
sector. As recommended by RAP2, the SWAp is now focussed on maintenance
of rural roads, rather that the upgrading or building of new roads.
At a local level, training
is also required in road construction and maintenance procedures
according to the DoLIDAR training needs survey. RAP2 also provides
technical support to the DDCs through the supplementary infrastructure
and maintenance components. In addition, RAP2 supports the preparation
of the District Road Master Plans (DTMP) and the Annual Road Maintenance
Plans (ARMP) in two RAP Districts and four other Districts.
At a community level, RAP2
supports the establishment of institutions aligned to the road building
effort. Within each Village Development Committee (VDC) area, Local
Road User Committees (LRUC) are formed from representatives of the
road building groups and Local Road Coordination Committees (LRCC)
are formed from respected members of the communities.
RAP2 also provides awareness
raising activities through street drama, mass meetings, and formal
training programmes on subjects such as HIV/AIDS, and techniques
in accessing basic services (health and hygiene, education), which
has resulted in increased levels of confidence and awareness among
the workers.