NRECA/CAI advisory team : fifth annual evaluation report

The project is progressing rapidly and has been responsible for increasing Bangladesh"s rural economic development. This progress is due primarily to strong national commitment at the highest level, capable and dedicated leadership on the part of Bangladesh"s Rural Electrification Board (REB), and the willing involvement of rural people. The REB has sponsored the development of several indigenous industries which supply mercury vapor lights, line hardware, transformers, house wiring services, and related products. REB has also established both an Institutional and a Technical Training Institute (the present curriculum of 57 courses has been presented to 6,724 persons); it has adopted financial management systems, and engineering and construction standards; and it is developing a manual in materials standards and specifications. A total of 33 Rural Electrification Societies (PBS"s) are being developed. Of these, 13 are operational, serving 60% of the villages within the areas currently funded; 86% of the allocated distribution line has been strung (74% energized) and 94% of planned connections have been made. Four more PBS"s will be energized in early 1984 and 11 others are being developed. However, project implementation has been hampered by several internal REB problems, including: poor management in some departments and poor interdepartmental cooperation; personnel vacancies; staff resistance to following policy and procedural instructions; lack of job discipline by staff; and serious planning shortfalls. Anent the latter, a master plan for rural electrification has been developed, but not finalized; also, very little construction planning has been done and distribution system planning has been incomplete. Recommendations address REB needs (as well similar management needs at the PBS"s) and the need for the contractor to assume a role that is more advisory, with fewer implementation and supervisory responsibilities.