Niger Basin development planning project (625-0915) : final evaluation

Final evaluation covers the period 8/77-11/84 and is based on firsthand observations, document review, and interviews with NBA staff and other donors. See abstract of PD-AAS-064 for a summary of evaluation findings. It is recommended that A.I.D. support the already proposed follow-on project (6250944), but at a reduced level and perhaps making the project conditional on development of an NBA unit to reflect the planning/coordination activities which should be its primary activity. Also recommended is a redesign of the follow-on project. Specifically, the new project should: (1) conduct an institutional and management analysis of the NBA; (2) upgrade the NBA's data storage and retrieval unit; (3) develop the proposed water-sediment routing model as already planned; (4) reduce the scope of proposed environmental and socioeconomic studies; (5) provide the NBA's planning unit with long-term TA in river basin planning and perhaps other long- and short-term TA; (6) seek outside expertise to reexamine the terms of reference for follow-up project activities; (7) closely monitor the execution of said terms; (8) commit sufficient time and TA personnel to ensure proper project management; (9) oblige contractors to conduct participant training; (10) have each expatriate technician assigned an NBA counterpart so as to ensure technology transfer; (11) request the NBA to provide an annual report; (12) consider helping the NBA acquire additional office space; and (13) convoke a formal donor coordinating meeting in late 1985.