GGP Project in Darulete Village Liquica Municipality has reached 30 % progress

GGP Project on “New Construction of water supply system at Darulete Village, Liquica Post administrative, Liquica Municipality” has reached 30 % of physical progress by the end March 2019.  The progress includes the completion of Community Action Plan (CAP), establishment GMF, training on GMF, socialization of community water regulation, construction of intake, new construction of ferocement 10m³ and pipe installation from intake to ferocement 10m³.  The project funded by embassy of Japan throughout Grassroots Grant Project (GGP) that signed between Embassy of Japan and Aplimentec in 25^th January 2019.

Nuno Miguel, Director of Aplimentec informed, “The physical progress will be reached 30 % by the end of this month (March). We are working hard to complete the intake construction, ferocement and pipe installation. Then, we will start transmission installation from ferocement 10m³ to reservoir 30m³ in Kailema with total distances approximately 4620 m by the beginning of April 2019”. Mr. Nuno added, by the end of April they expected to achieve 40 % physical progress of transmission lines.

Concerning the progress, Chief of Village of Darulete, Mr. Tracisio dos Santos confirmed the work progress is very constructive. Aplimentec Foundation has good plan and properly management execution. They (Aplimentec) have good communication and coordination with local leaders, GMF members and community in progressing the project. Community is as well as has full support and participation. Therefore, we optimistic that the project will completed on time by the end of August 2019 as planned.

Why GMF is failed to maintain the water infrastructures in rural areas ? (A lesson learnt from Liquica’s rural community water)

Reported by:

Jose Piato

(Aplimentec Community Facilitator)

Introduction

Maintain a clean water system in rural areas post construction is serious challenges facing by Timor-Leste’s local government (DSAS) and NGOs. The government (DNSAS) policy is currently using GMF (local community water committee) as the main strategy to sustain the water systems in rural sites. In facts, most of GMF is not working properly after the project hand over to the community. GMF in rural areas largely only survive for no longer than 6 months. Other GMF might hold out for 1 year. Then, most of the water infrastructures could not be maintained as consequences.

GMF and issued of failed

Pursuant to local government (DSAS) and NGOs water there are many activities to support GMF during the clean water project's implementation. The activities are included Community Action Plan (CAP), training, capacity building and water equipments donation. Local government and NGOs water is additionally uses the community low cost support as other key strategy to sustain the community water system. Nevertheless it is not working properly till nowadays.

Facts behind the fails

We found there are some facts influence the failed of GMF to maintain the water systems in rural areas. Firstly is less of the local government commitment on maintenances issues. Local government is necessarily has responsibility to main communication, supervision and permanent supporting to GMF post physical construction. However DSAS is not run the responsibility properly. Lots of GMF confessed that they have been lack the communication with DSAS after the project hand over. Fewer communications with DSAS caused most of GMF members forsake their roles and responsibility in local water committee.

GMF also informed that a common problem is facing by GMF when community members stop cooperating even stop their monthly financial supports. Some community even commits illegal connection and breakdown the facilities in addition. The root caused is less coercive water regulation to control the users. The condition get worst when local leaders include Chief of villages and sub villages has no control to support GMF to take coercive actions to illegal water destruction. In the end, GMF lost their way to main the system and totally abandon their responsibility.

Secondly is less of NGOs water in deeply understanding of community problems. Most of NGOs is only focus on finishing the physical activities and timelines. They rush to complete the project based on donors grant contract. NGOs lose their main roles to empower the community in project engagement, self of belonging, resources awareness and sustainability plan. Some NGOs failed to increase community awareness in end of the project.

GGP Program commenced in Darulete Village, Liquica's Municipality

Aplimentec Foundation has started the New water supply  project for Darulete Village in Liquica Post administrative, Liquica municipality. The project is funded by Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste trough GGP Fund. The project has commencing in 1st February 2019 after signed the grant contract with the Embassy of Japan by 25 January 2019.

Aplimentec’s Director, Mr Nuno informed, "Aplimetec has established the coordination with local government and local leaders for community meeting.  The community meeting conducted in 9 February 2019 which involves all local authorities such as Administrator of Post Administrative Liquica, Chief of Village, school director, Community police officer, community members in Darulete and other local representatives". According to Mr. Nuno, the objective of the meeting is to socializing the programs as well as to encourage community's support, participation and initiative to complete the project by the end of September 2019.

Mr. Nuno said, some activities have been done. Mr. Nuno Said, “we have a public meeting with the community. The meeting is running well. Participation and support from local authorities are important. They agree to take part of GPP project and provide contribution as they can. Community agreed to follow the GGP agreement including the establishment of GMF and Community Action.”

Mr. Nuno also informed Aplimentec Foundation will work closely with Chief of Village to organize the plan Community Action Plan (CAP).  Community Action Plan activity or as known as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) will running for 5 days from 11-15 February 2019. The activity is including the establishment of GMF (Community Management Group for Water). The CAP process will be facilitate by Aplimentec’s Facilitator team and FPA (Government Water Supply Department).