The 4^th Regional Project Steering Committee (RPSC) meeting of the NELSAP Regional Agricultural Trade and Productivity (RATP) Project was held from 14^th to 16^th June, 2010 in Bujumbura, Burundi with the Guest of Honour, Mr. Nduwimana Joseph representing the Minister of Water, Environment, Land Management and Urban Development recognizing the NBI’s leading role in agricultural water management and investment preparation.  Mr. Nduwimana called upon NBI to redefine its core Agricultural functions as it evolves towards a permanent River Basin Organization to which he believed the RATP project will make an important contribution. He emphasized the recommendation that had been made earlier in the year by the Minister during the project launch, by requesting NBI and the Development Partners to engage in more physical investment particularly in irrigation by supporting countries in the preparation of and fundraising for investment projects to increase water productivity in Agriculture thus enhancing the achievement of food security in the region.

  

 

 

The meeting was attended by the Regional Project Steering Committee members and National Liaison Officers from Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Also present was the NELTAC chair, the Nile Basin Initiative’s Executive Director, the representatives of the Canadian International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDA), and World Bank; the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) management and Regional Agricultural Trade and Productivity (RATP) staffThe RPSC as the highest governance organ for the project implementation met in order to review the progress of implementation of the Regional Agricultural Trade and Productivity (RATP) project and devise new strategies for better performance. Earlier, NELSAP CU Senior Economist representing the Regional Coordinator gave a brief portfolio of NELSAP projects. He informed the participants of the on-going projects such as the three River Basin Integrated Water management projects, RATP, the Interconnection Project and the Rusumo Multipurpose project. He also informed the participants of the upcoming projects namely LEAF Phase2, NEL Water Resources Management, NEL Power Climate Change Adaptation, and the Bugesera Trans-boundary project. He subsequently commended the Steering Committee and Development partners for the direction and support given to the project.  

To start the discussions, the RATP Project Manager Mr. Innocent Ntabana presented the Project Overview. The document highlighted the background of the project, the objectives and expected outputs, the project components, and budget.  

Speaking on behalf of the CIDA Development Partener Diane Briand emphasized  the fact that the project should keep on track the activities planned. In addition, she drew attention to the fact that gender elements should be given consideration by the project. She concluded by thanking the government of Burundi for hosting the RATP PMU. 

Later, the Tanzanian Director of Irrigation and Technical Services in the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Eng. Mbogo Futakamba handed over the chairmanship of the Regional Project Steering Committee to Burundian Director General Minister of Water, Environment, Land Management and Urban Development, Mr. Machumi Damiani.  

The Regional Project Steering Committee considered and approved RATP’s work plan and budget for the fiscal year 2010/2011. The meetings also requested the projectThe Regional Agricultural Trade and Productivity project (RATP was initiated in 2008 by the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) through its Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program in its efforts to promote poverty alleviation, sustainable economic growth and the reversal of environmental degradation. On a third day, the participants visited the Rukaramu irrigation scheme and the Bururndi-D.R-Congo border at Gatumba. 

 to fast track the implementation of the project activities and deliver on time, as well as involving and facilitating National Liaison Officers in the implementations of the studies.  The Project is implemented into two phases: A preparatory phase of 15 months (April 2008-September 2009) and an implementation phase of about 36 months (November 2009- April 2012). The project is supported by the Grant from CIDA managed through the Nile Basin Trust Fund.

 

 By Elimasia Mngumi-NELSAP Development Communication Officer 

 

 

 

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