UNDP provides US$3.8m for mini hydro project

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Nepal on Thursday, signed an agreement to implement a US$ 3.85 million Khimti Neighbourhood  Development (KiND) project in Dolakha and Ramechhap districts for the rural electrification.

Bhuban Karki, under secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and Ghulam M Isaczai, acting resident representative of the UNDP, signed the document on behalf of the government of Nepal and UNDP respectively at a function organized at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MoEST).

The project will be funded by the government of Norway, Himal Power Limited (HPL) and UNDP for the period of 2007 to 2010. The project will be implemented with the partner ship of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC).

“The project aims to electrify 3100 households in Dolakha and Ramechhap districts through the construction of 400KW mini-hydro power plant,” said a press release issued by the UNDP.|

The proposed areas for the rural electrification project include households of Namadi, Pharpu, Khimti, Fulasi VDCs and two wards of Gelu VDC in Ramechhap district. Similarly, it includes households of Malu and Siureni VDCs of Dolakha.

“This is UNDP Nepal’s first partnership with the private sector on a cost sharing basis,” said Isaczai.

He added that the UNDP look forward to working more with the private sector for the benefit of the poor.

S Korea provides US$ 3.5m support

Similarly on Thursday, South Korean government has provided financial support of US$ 3.50 million to Nepal for establishing Government Integrated Data and Training Center (GIDTC) in Nepal.

Kim Bok-hee, Resident Representative of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and Subarna Shakya, Executive Director of National Information Technology Centre, signed a record of discussions on the GIDTC project on Thursday.

According to a press release issued by the KOICA Nepal Office, it will support to build infrastructure of e-Government by establishing a government integrated data center in Singha Durbar.

"KOICA will also provide equipment, materials and IT training necessary for the center's operation, and support capacity building in the information communication technology through training programs," said the release.