PRESS RELEASE

Peshawar: In an effort to enhance local governance and improve service delivery for the citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a landmark Consultative Workshop on the Selection of Local Services and Development of Regulations for Municipal Services took place in Peshawar on October 31, 2023.  The workshop was organized jointly by the Centre for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA) and the Local Government Elections and Rural Development Department (LGERD) , with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Sub-National Governance Programme (SNG) also participated in the event.

Secretary LGERD Department in his keynote address highlighted that effective and efficient service delivery at the local level is pivotal for the development and well-being of communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The participants observed that the local governments in the province face various challenges, including the absence of comprehensive and standardized processes for identifying, planning, implementing, and monitoring public services, as well as the lack of clear guidelines when it comes to addressing grievance of citizens related to delivery of various services. These challenges have led to inefficiencies and disparities in service provision.

The Consultative Workshop aimed to address these challenges and contribute to the development of regulations and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for selected municipal services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The objectives of the workshop included the identification of priority municipal services, knowledge sharing, the identification of the existing regulatory framework, and the development of structures for new or revised regulations.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is leading the Participatory Local Governance (PLG) project, which aims to strengthen local governance systems in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to improve service delivery. The PLG project focuses on local revenue generation, participatory development planning, and digitalization for better service delivery.

The Centre for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA) and the Sub-National Governance Programme (SNG) played crucial roles in the workshop. CGPA was responsible for arranging and moderating the event, as well as documenting the proceedings and sharing the reports with stakeholders. SNG shared its expertise and experiences in establishing a solid waste collection and dumping mechanism in TMA Bahrain, emphasizing best practices, challenges faced, and the impact of the implemented procedures.

The workshop followed a structured agenda, including group discussions, presentations of local services, and plenary discussions on identified services. It encouraged collaboration among various stakeholders and provided a platform for sharing experiences and lessons learned.

The event was a significant step toward improving local service delivery and fostering public accountability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The outcomes of this workshop will contribute to the development of regulations and SOPs, ultimately enhancing the quality and sustainability of municipal services for the benefit of the local population.

Key development as a result of the session was that the representatives from eight TMAs (Pistakhara, Takhtbai, Laachi, Matta, Mansehra, Swabi, Jamrud and Upper Mohmand) has demanded replication of Bahrain Solid Waste Management Model piloted by Sub-National Governance Programme, FCDO funded. GIZ was further requested to extend support facilitating the replication of model in respective TMAs.