There have been two MTPs so far; the first one being for the period 2002/05 and the current one is for 2005/08. The basis for the LGRP MTP is to be found in GoT policies and strategies, mainly the Local Government Policy Paper of 1998. In the implementation of the current MTP, it was decided as follows:-
- to include only those Outputs from the last MTP on which work had already begun on the basis that others were low priority,
- to respond to and deal with the accepted year 2004 Government-Donor Joint Review Report findings and recommendations,
- to accommodate Reference Group recommendations on D-by-D, to avoid taking on any new work.
- Most of the Outcomes and Outputs are carried forward from the MTP 02/05, and the others are giving effect to recommendations of the Joint Review Report.
The work of the D-by-D Reference Group has been taken into account, and it is expected to further shape the final plans over the coming months.
The MTP is divided into four main sections which are:-
- an overall introductory section, (Sections 1 to 4), ii. the Local Government Reforms,
- the PO-RALG and RS capacity building programmes,
- Management.
In addition, there is an appendix covering the Local Government Capital Development Grant system (LGCDG), aspects of which will be managed and supported by the LGRT.
The Master Logical Framework sets out the Goal, Purpose and Outcomes of the Programme. As a general rule the higher, strategic level outcomes and outputs come first, and the lower level, operational outcomes and outputs come later. This is a general plan and indicative budget. The detailed annual plans and budgets will be based on this, but will provide more details and more accurate budgets. They will also contain any changes necessitated by changing circumstances.
Undoubtedly, full implementation of the D-by-D policy will only be achieved over a much longer and as yet undetermined timescale.
In terms of the LGRP as now constituted, this MTP represents the final three years of its implementation. After that, it will be the responsibility of PO-RALG to spearhead and oversee the D-by-D process, and of the LGAs to complete the reform process at their level. It is also important to note that, while the duration of this MTP is three years, the full PO-RALG / RS capacity building programme is scheduled for five years. Reforms and capacity building at LGA level will take many more years.
