Full report LR.pdf - DLIST Benguela

NACOMA Project – Preparation PhaseAnalysis of the Institutional Capacity in the Namib Coast Regional CouncilsSub-Component 1Coordination and cooperation among key institutions involved in conservation anddevelopmentActivity 1.1 Reviewing and clarifying roles and mandates of key institutions involvedin conservation and development• Review legal basis (laws, but also memoranda, job descriptions, etc.) of relevantinstitutions – MET, MRLGH, line ministries and Regional Councils - to assess gapsin terms of possible overlapping responsibilities (such an audit has not been donebefore involving all staff in Regional Councils. It should be a systematic andtransparent process).• Capitalise on synergies between the above parties and reduce identified gaps andloopholes (this can only be done after the activity above).• Review roles and mandates of both political and administrative staff to reducecounter-productive interferences and bureaucracy (there often is complaints thatindividual politicians have one agenda while the prevailing realities may bedifferent).• Solicit sufficient political and administrative support to promote environmentalmanagement and integrated conservation and development (this has to follow abovemeetings which will then be encapsulated in a memorandum).• Identify to-be-decentralised functions and provide clear transitional guidelines foroperational staff, management and administration (the product could be a simple touse manual).• Introduce legislative measures and incentives for sustainable environmental planningand management – including the restoration and rehabilitation of fragile environments(while there are various laws, including EIA, they are not being applies properly andin some cases not at all).• Establish newsletter to address relevant transitional issues (this newsletter is aimed atthe parties involved in above exercises).• Provide assistance to MET and Regional Councils to provide a decentralisationimplementation plan for the line ministry and RC in terms of ICD.Activity 1.2.Conducting a role players’ workshops• Have several workshops with role players to make sure they understand their basicmandates and roles in general, and then with particular reference to ICD. This shouldbe done by expert facilitators who are knowledgeable of the regions (otherwise only acertain point will be reached).• Promote detailed dialogue on the operational use of Integrated Coastal ZoneManagement (ICZM), / Biodiversity Conservation Planning (BCP) and IntegratedConservation and Development (ICD) concepts in all institutions and across differentsectors. Develop a comprehensive strategy and plans for Regional Councils in termsof ICZM, BCP and ICD planning, Integrated Coastal Management/ BiodiversityConservation Planning.34