Govt to hold third-party validation, digital monitoring of uplift plans

LAHORE:Punjab government has decided to conduct Third-Party Validation and Digital Monitoring of Chief Minister’s District Sustainable Development Goals Programmes (CMD-SDGs) with a view to ensuring transparency and quality in the implementation of development projects in the province.

The project is aligned with the international United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs-2030). The programme's objectives resonate with several SDGs including, but not limited to, Good Health and Well-being (SDG-3), Quality Education (SDG-4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG-8), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG-11), Partnerships for the Goals (SDG-17).

The project’s objectives also align with Gender Equality (Goal-5), Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal-6), Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal-7), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (Goal-9), Reduced Inequalities (Goal-10), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (Goal-16).

Asia Gul, Special Secretary (Dev), Punjab Local Government & Community Development Department, said that CM’s District Sustainable Development Goals (CMD-SDGs) Programme is a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing infrastructure development, improving community facilities, and expanding educational opportunities in the province.

With the goal of fostering sustainable growth and development, she said, this programme seeks to address key challenges faced by the local community and create a more inclusive and prosperous environment for all residents. Punjab Local Government & Community Development Department has entrusted the responsibility to The Urban Unit to establish a real-time digital and physical monitoring Management Information System (MIS) and Third Party Validation (TPV) system for development schemes under the SDGs.

The Urban Unit, Planning and Development (P&D) Department, will monitor and report the progress of the completion of 3,481 development schemes including 1,008 schemes of roads, 1,624 of drainage, 175 of clean drinking water, 553 of Water and Sanitation (WATSAN), 44 of recreation, 31 of streetlights, 27 of graveyards, 16 missing facilities in education sector and three other schemes, which will be executed in all 35 districts of the province. The project, costing Rs 300 million, will be completed by June 30, 2025.

“The Urban Unit has established an MIS dashboard for digital monitoring and reporting on the progress based on on-site inspection of the projects,” says Abid Hussaini, General Manager Environment and Climate Change/ Water Supply & Sanitation at The Urban Unit.

We have a dedicated team of engineers, which will perform quality testing, verify the work, and ensure that the scheme aligns with the required standards, he said.

For this purpose, he said, The Urban Unit shall integrate Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and environmental analysis to monitor the progress and track the performance of completed schemes. The SDG ranking frameworks and analysis into the project monitoring and reporting will determine the success of the program outcomes.

The Urban Unit has also developed a mobile app, compatible with Android and iOS, for contractors to upload pictorial evidence of the progress and quality of work at beginning, middle and completion stages. “The Urban Unit is also conducting e-learning courses for the partners to learn how to use the app and upload the pictures on the main dashboard, says Abid Hussaini.

He said The Urban Unit will also set up four labs in all regions in order to assess the quality of work, material and equipment as well as functioning status of the missing facilities under various schemes in the project.

Following establishment of MIS dashboard, The Urban Unit will be responsible for monitoring, physical mapping and conducting three visits at the start, middle and completion of the schemes with a view to updating progress of all schemes. The verification of completion will be ensured and evidenced by uploading maps and pictures on the central dashboard for timely analysis and necessary corrective actions.

“It will conduct Third Party Validation of 20 percent of schemes in each area and sector at end and submit its final report along with environmental compliance report,” he added. This process will ensure that the project remains on track and meets its intended objectives while maintaining high-quality standards. “We will only be responsible for monitoring and assessing the progress and standard of execution of the schemes till completion,” he said, while adding that The Urban Unit will neither have any role in payments nor responsible for performance or efficiency of the schemes post-completion.