Niger shelter sector planning

Evaluation covers the period 8/80-11/81 and was conducted jointly by the Government of Niger (GON) and USAID/N. In spite of initial delays (which have forced an extension of the project to 12/82) due to low GON counterpart and logistic support -- a situation which the GON has now corrected -- and A.I.D."s inability to provide all technical assistance (TA) inputs, progress towards output targets has been substantial. In the past year, a Housing Division (HD) has been established within the Ministry of Public Works and a draft national housing policy and the shelter sector assessment are nearing completion. The national housing plan and the development of project proposals remain to be achieved. Attainment of the project"s purpose, however, will require the HD to shift its emphasis somewhat from planning and analysis to practical research and project preparation. Project experience has taught the difficulty of securing French-speaking short- and long-term consultants for projects of this kind (long-term planning is needed and foreign nationals should be considered if Americans are unavailable); the need to include funds for mutually agreeable activities in institution-building projects; and the absolute indispensability of full government support to projects of this kind. Recommendations are that: (1) attention to on-the-ground implementation of selected research activities be increased and existing proposals for low-cost housing be further elaborated; (2) A.I.D. provide 6-9 months of TA by 4/82 to assist in implementing the former two activities and further short-term TA as needed, assure that reports of current short-term consultants are finalized, encourage GON participation in short-term conferences and seminars on project-related topics, and make efforts to secure short-term training for the participant trainee designate and provide long-term socioeconomic training for a suitable candidate starting in 9/82; (3) the HD strive to achieve all targeted outputs, including what is needed for the shelter component of the next 5-year plan; and (4) more project funds be used for research activities.