The agreement to this effect was signed by Shanta Raj Subedi, Finance Secretary and Dominic O´Neill, Head of DFID-Nepal on behalf of their respective governments on Monday.[break]
The fund will be utilized for maintenance of roads through the third phase of Rural Access Program (RAP) in eight districts of the mid western and far western districts.
According to the press statement issued by RAP, more than 20,000 poor people in Dailekh, Achham, Kalikot, Jumla, Bajura, Mugu, Humla and Doti districts will be lifted out of poverty after implementation of the four-year program.
The programs will support maintenance, rehabilitation and upgrading and maintenance works of 2,400 km of roads over next four years. Supporting 40,000 rural families to increase their income by Rs 17,000 a year by adopting high value crop farming in the targeted districts is also among the programs to be launched under the assistance.
The program will also provide short term employment to most vulnerable people in the rural areas.
Speaking on the occasion, O´Neil expressed commitment on Britain´s continued support in enhancing road access for remote poor in Nepal which has the lowest road access among South Asian nations.
“This rural access program will help the poorest people of western Nepal to escape poverty by providing jobs, access to markets and by encouraging more business into the region,” said O´Neil.
Finance Secretary Subedi said implementation of the program will pave the way for employment and increased economic activities in the targeted districts.
Related story
UNDP, DfID to help local units implement climate projects
