MCA-Nepal organized an informative and interactive session for journalists on 18 August 2022.
Information related to ongoing preparatory works on site access, Entry into Force (EIF) date after which construction work will begin, fiscal and procurement procedures and plans were shared with participating journalists in the interactive session.
Highlighting that activities which support compact implementation and are necessary for construction work to begin were ongoing, Mr. Khadga Bahadur Bisht, Executive Director at MCA-Nepal shared that these activities include conducting environmental assessments, developing resettlement action plans, and working with partner agencies of the Government.
He added that these activities were being carried out to ensure all of its standards are being met in advance of any construction to ensure successful implementation of the compact. The target date to begin all construction work i.e. EIF has been set for August 2023.
Mr. Nirmal Khatiwada, Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Mahendra Shrestha, Program Procurement Manager, presented on MCA-Nepal fiscal and procurement procedures and plans at the event respectively.
During the interaction, participating journalists questioned on the challenges for the project in the field, tax exemption provisions, intellectual property (IP) rights and administrative expenses prior to the implementation of the compact, etc.
The queries from the media were addressed by Mr. Bisht, ED, MCA-Nepal. He also shared the challenges in building transmission lines were common in all projects throughout the nation.
Clarifying on the issue of IP Rights, he mentioned, “There is no intellectual property issue. The Compact is not producing any new technology and reusing known technology. There will be some project documents such as feasibility studies, EIA report etc. All of them will be published online. MCC will have access, but the ownership will remain with the Government of Nepal.”
43 journalists representing various media took part and had the opportunity to present their questions and acquire facts on the MCC Nepal Compact in the half-day session.
