North and East Local Service Improvement Project (NELSIP) 2015-2017

Ministry of Provincial Councils & Local Government

The main objective of the North East Local Government Service Improvement Project (NELSIP) is to improve service delivery of the Local Authority by providing the necessary infrastructure facilities, increasing people's participation to create equal opportunities society and enhancing knowledge, skills of officials and community through capacity building programs. In North Central Province, 32 projects have been implemented under the infrastructure facilities of the Local Authorities. It is comprised of rural roads (asphalt, concrete, interlock), drainage systems, storm-water canal, water projects, buildings (market, weekly fair, office, daycare & preschool, guest house) playground, and children park.

New construction and improvement of culverts, bridges and sewer lines, which are linked to road development projects have contributed to the increase in the efficiency of the transport sector. This will help increase investments, improve tourism activities and increase employment opportunities and improve the living standards of the people.The Assessment Report of the Social, Environmental and Economic Impacts of the NELSIP project has highlighted that the beneficiaries are satisfied with the road development as it is supported to reduced travel time, road accidents and improve comfortable traveling. Further, the report is mentioned that some of the indirect impacts that have been derived from the development of roads are decreasing of maintenance and maintenance costs, increased business growth, increased agricultural output, land value, education, employment opportunities, and easy-to-train practices, and the availability of tools for buying inputs and selling products
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The new road network has improved the quality of the road system. It has also led to a reduction in flood risk, preventing the breeding of mosquitoes and reducing road accidents. Construction of children's parks and playgrounds contributed to increase the gathering of people, enhance contact through socialization, and reduce social and psychological pressure in establishing a sense of social cohesion and security as well as improving the mental and physical fitness. Providing of drinking water scheme, market development, libraries, etc. have been contributed to significant social and economic progress.

There are several programs and systems introduced by the NELSIP project to provide better service to the public by the Local Authorities in a more timely and accurate manner. They are formulating a participatory development plan, setting up Social Audit Committees consisting of beneficiaries in relation to each project, and evaluating projects identified on a priority basis, introducing of Project Appraisal Committees at the district level. Further, the establishment of a Front Office system at Local Authorities, updating the methods of resolving public grievances, establishing good governance centers at the district level, introducing of local government accounting system, the introduction of the library automation program could be mentioned as innovative programs of the NELSIP.

Beginning in 2015, the Nelsip Project was in operation until the end of 2017. The project was implemented in 12 Local Government Authorities covering the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts of the North Central Province. The North East Local Government Improvement Project (NELSIP) was funded by the World Bank, Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade Department as a grant, funding from the Government of Sri Lanka and contribution of the community. The Funds, both locally and internationally, were allocated to the project activities through the Provincial Council to implement the project activities by each Local Authority.