US congressional staff delegation Visit to SIPP, Bangladesh on June 26, 2007

A two member US Congressional staff delegation visited Bangladesh to get acquaint themselves with the World Bank and USAID supported ongoing projects in the country from 25 June 2007 to 01 July 2007. On June 26, 2007 Ms. Nilmini Rubin and Ms. Brooke Daley of the Congressional Team visited the Social Investment Program Project (SIPP) of Social Development Foundation (SDF) at Uttar Baruamari village of Laksmirchar Union of Sadar Upazilla under Jamalpur District. 

During the visit, a brief presentation on progress and achievement of SIPP was made by Mr. Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, Managing Director of SDF at Jamalpur Circuit house followed by screening of a video documentary on SIPP. 

During their stay in the village, the delegation exchanged views with the members of the community of program area who briefed them on the activities of the projects. A discussion on good governance, accountability and transparency of the project took place between the villagers and the visiting team. Later on the day, they also visited some of the Community Infrastructure Works (CIW) in the locality. 

The visiting team pointed out to the villagers that the USA offers funds to many developing countries with the help of the World Bank and USAID for development purposes. They asked the villagers if any mechanism exits for ensuring transparency and proper utilization of the fund in the backdrop of general allegation of non transparent way of using of fund in the developing countries. In response they informed that prior to utilization of the fund they ensure the transparency of accounts by scrutinizing the approval and proceeding of the meeting, books of account. They also displayed in public places necessary information of the sub-project including its financial component. 

 The delegation, while moving around, found three display boards in public places in the village containing the outlines of the sub-project, financial component and the process of its utilization. This demonstrated the community’s awareness in keeping the entire community informed about the project, its status and financial obligations, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability. In addition, the community members displayed and explained to the visiting team the different operation manuals, accounts books, financial records and minutes of the regularly held meetings of the village institutions. Explaining the process followed in account maintenance and book keeping, the villagers pointed out that these practices helped to ensure observance of the principle of good governance. The visitors were impressed by the articulation of some of the women members of the community while the latter responded to their questions.

During the visit, the members of the US Congressional Staff Team were happy to see the spontaneous participation of and the sense of ownership displayed by the community. The progress of the project and the activities of the village institutions impressed the visitors. 

World Bank representative Ms. Farzana Morshed, Mr. Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, Managing Director of SDF, General Manager, Managers and the representatives of Partner Organizations with the members of District Administration were present with the visiting team.