DHAKA: The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives of Bangladesh is working with UNCDF and UN DESA to help local governments leverage municipal assets for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To kick off their collaboration, UN officials met with participants from local government bodies and central governments in Sreemangal from September 21-23 to discuss how municipal assets can support achieving the SDGs, according to a press release.
Global estimates to reach the SDGs range from US$2.5 to $7 trillion per year. Bangladesh would require an additional annual amount of over $65 billion for their full implementation.
A large share of the financing is needed at the local level whereby local assets, such as equipment and machinery, public land, buildings and infrastructure facilities provide essential public services. Local assets can both generate additional and leverage existing financial resources for sustainable development.
Despite their value and importance, surprisingly little attention has been devoted to managing municipal assets in the most cost-efficient manner. Bangladesh is no exception. There are no coherent asset management frameworks, policies, strategies and actions in place. Such a gap must be addressed swiftly and efficiently in a country where increased urbanization and the effects of climate change will put further strain on existing assets: Bangladesh, by some estimates, may lose over 20 per cent of its fertile land due to climate change. Such an event would push large rural populations to abandon their land and seek employment opportunities in Dhaka and other cities.
“Efficient asset management is the precondition of SMART municipal development.” said Begum Roxana Quader, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Bangladesh.
Reflections on municipal asset management that is fit for purpose were at the heart of the three-day training workshop held in Sreemangal. The participants reviewed the basic tenets of asset management and went through a step-by-step process of designing their individual municipal Asset Management Action Plans (AMAPs). Participants received hands-on training and worked in groups of their respective local governments - to define goals, principles and objectives of their municipal asset management; agree on their priority asset, identify key stakeholders and discuss performance goals and key actions for more effective asset management.
The ultimate objective of AMAPs is to help local governments navigate the complex landscape of asset management for all assets and set out a concrete multi-year action plan that will leverage them in support of the SDGs.
“Asset management is complex, but it doesn’t need to be with the proper skills and political commitment. It includes comprehensive and transparent inventorying of assets, their valuation, lifecycle management, as well as strategic portfolio reviews.” explained Linda Newton, an internationally renowned expert on asset management and the chief instructor of the training workshops.
In the course of the discussions, local governments acknowledged the need to pursue more coordinated and effective asset management at the local level. They also called for clear and appropriate national guidance and highlighted the value of coordination with other tiers of the government that manage assets located in their municipalities
While benefits of more effective asset management may take a while to materialize, they are substantial over time. The implementation of AMAPs can result in greater revenue potential of existing assets and lower service delivery costs. Moreover, well-managed assets will provide dependable, reliable services and amenities. They will increase the trust between government and taxpayers. Proper valuation and management of environmental assets, such as lakes, rivers and groundwater will increase resilience of municipalities in the face of external shocks.
Over 40 participants, comprised of central government officials and representatives of5local governments from across the country attended the workshop. Participants welcomed the training and highlighted the need for sustained support in the implementation of AMAPs.
“This training and the implementation of AMAPs will provide the foundation for the automation and digitalization of our asset management practices.” highlighted. Sazzad Islam, Town Planner of Chandpur municipality.
In addition, central government officials were trained in providing support and applying a diagnostic tool developed by UNDESA and UNCDF to help evaluate the demand for asset management at the local level.
Concluding the workshop, officials from the central government, UNDESA and UNCDF expressed their commitment to provide support on the design and implementation of AMAPs in Bangladesh.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and our partner municipalities to ensure that the AMAPs are implemented and replicated by other local governments.” said Jesmul Hasan (UNCDF) and Daniel Platz (UNDESA).
BDST: 1315 HRS, SEP 23, 2019
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