Multi-stakeholder intervention to Rank SDGs | Capacity Building of the newly elected LG Reps of Balochistan
LEAD for SDGs organised a Three-day Program for multi-stakeholder intervention to Rank SDGs & to build the capacity of the newly elected Local Government Representatives of Balochistan on Legal, Financial & Administrative Authorities & Localisation of SDGs
QUETTA (March 15-17, 2023): In Quetta, the heart of Balochistan, the Local Councils Association of Balochistan organized a “Training Program for Localization of SDGs and Responsibilities and Powers by Local Government Laws” for newly elected Local Government Representatives, Multi-stakeholder workshop to Rank SDGs, Consultation, Identification and Prioritisation of Local Actions with financial support from the European Union and United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific.
On the first two days of the program, newly elected chairmen, and deputy chairmen of municipal committees, representatives of union councils from districts across Balochistan, and members of provincial and district Quetta Alliances on SDGs participated in large numbers.
All the participants were given training on their responsibilities and powers under Balochistan Local Government Act 2010, Local Government Finance Commission, and other important topics. All the members were oriented on the SDGs, Localization of SDGs, the inclusion of SDGs on priority in the Annual Development Plan, and the importance of prioritizing the SDGs targets at the district level considering the provincial and national levels SDGs Framework.
On the third day, a detailed consultation was held with a focus group comprising development sector partners, members of the media, and local government associations. Priority SDGs were identified at the district level considering the Balochistan Provincial Framework of the SDGs for Local Actions.
During the consultation, SDGs 3,4 and 6 were rated as the most considerate in Balochistan. It was observed that the areas of health, education, and clean water are suffering from corruption, irresponsible staff and unnecessary construction of schools and hospitals without assessing demographics. It was stated that employees are not working in the areas where they are appointed, but on the contrary, prefer to work in big cities. Another said that the use of Balochistan’s resources is not available to the people here nor clean water.
LEAD for SDGs organized three Trainings to build the capacity of the newly elected Local Government Representatives of Balochistan on Legal, Financial & Administrative Authorities & Localisation of SDGs in Gwadar & Quetta. These trainings were organized respectively by Kech and Quetta District Alliances on SDGs.
The representatives were divided into three different clusters, and each cluster has been apprised the trained material in a day-long session.
Cluster one (Makran Division; four districts) was covered in Gwadar, and other Districts of Balochistan were divided into two equal clusters of fourteen districts.
Apart from these trainings Kech and Quetta District Alliances on SDGs has held two detailed consultations with a focus group comprising development sector partners, members of the media, and local government associations in Kech and Quetta.
Priority SDGs were identified at the district level( For Kech, Quetta, and adjacent areas) considering the Balochistan Provincial Framework of the SDGs for Local Actions.
The suggestions made in the sessions emphasized the restructuring of the SDGs Taskforce at the Provincial and District level and ensuring the involvement of Local Government representatives in the SDGs Taskforces. It was underlined that the Provincial Finance Commission should facilitate the flow of funds at the local level and Local Government representatives to accelerate development actions. It was suggested that training sessions on Local Government powers and Localization of SDGs at the level of Union Councils.
Mr Mir Abid Hussain Lehri, President of LCA Balochistan presided over the meeting while other important participants including Ashfaq Mengal, Members Provincial Alliance for SDGs were present. Mr Abid Hussain Lehri while launching the program said that the Mayor of The Local Government has the status of a father to his constituency, who is aware of all the problems of his area and is committed to solving them. The participants appreciated the unique initiatives put in place by LCAB, with the support of EU and UCLG-Asia Pacific under the LEAD for SDGs.
The Chief Guest, Mr Syed Zahoor Ahmad Agha, Former Governor, Balochistan acknowledged the participants and promised to take the recommendations to the higher authorities. He said that representatives of Local Governments are the only section of government machinery that can make it possible to achieve SDGs, increasing their capacity is very important so that they can align local-level schemes to SDGs with an understanding of their powers.
Mr Zahoor Taran, a representative of the United Nations Development Programme presented the orientation on SDGs and apprised the participants about the important programs and stakeholders working to achieve the SDGs in Balochistan. He said that the biggest problem in achieving the SDGs is inefficient data monitoring, collection and reporting.
Mr Syed Sajjad Imran Shah, Policy & Local Governance Expert apprised the members of the training program about the planning at the local level keeping in view the technical issues related to the transfer of funds at the grassroots level, Provincial Finance Commission, and the Localization of the SDGs, and at the end of the event examined the capabilities of all the participants and welcomed the feedback received from them. He also conducted Multi-Stakeholder Workshops to Rank SDGs and District level consultation to identify and prioritise local actions.
Ms Zaib-un-Nissa, Advocacy and Capacity Building Manager, ADLG briefed the participants about the local status of SDGs and benefited the members from a detailed session on how to perform their functions in the context of SDGs, including topics such as the importance and status of local government as per the Constitution.
LCAB Staff, Mr Shahbaz Hussain, Provincial Coordinator and Shams-ul-Haq, admin officer supported the event.
The participants were urged to raise their voices on every platform to ensure the delivery of funds at the grassroots level, the projects can be completed practically if the delivery of funds is ensured for clean water, education, hunger and poverty alleviation and provision of higher health and treatment is essential. Localization of SDGs is also possible when there are dynamic local governments.
