World Bank MD meets govt officials, visits development projects
Visiting Managing Director of the World Bank Group Graeme Wheeler met with high-ranking government officials and also visited Kavre district on Thursday to assess the quality of rural development projects and to meet with the beneficiaries.
Wheeler met Finance Minister Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat and discussed about the government’s development priorities, the ongoing peace process and political resolution to the conflict, the opening up of development space in rural areas, and the scope for expanding development assistance to Nepal.
A press release issued by World Bank country office in Nepal said Wheeler emphasised the need for the government to protect reforms and manage the economic and development agenda during the political transition.
Wheeler also met the Vice Chairman and members of the National Planning Commission.
Praful Patel, World Bank Vice President for South Asia, and other senior officials of the World Bank and the Government of Nepal accompanied Wheeler during his visit to Kavre.
The release further said, Wheeler visited the local micro-hydro power scheme at Majhiphed Village. The plant is one of 120 across Nepal that will be completed by July this year with support from the World Bank financed Power Development Project.
Wheeler also visited a classroom of a local school at Madan Kudari Village and discussed with community members serving the school management committee on how the transfer of management functions to the community had helped improve education outcomes among children living in the area.
The school is one of over 2,400 schools across Nepal handed over to community management since 2002 with support from the World Bank financed Community Schools Support Project, the statement added.
Wheeler also visited briefly to see the Health Center in Phediche Village in Kavre. The health center serves the local population in partnership with the Dhulikhel Community Hospital. nepalnews.com pb Feb 16 07
