Opportunity
This PPP initiative included water abstraction and conveyance of up to 280,000cu m/day from the Disi aquifer in southern Jordan to the city of Amman in northern Jordan through a 314km long, 1600mm diameter pipeline.
Key facts
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As lenders' independent engineer, we provided high-level guidance to a consortium (including OPIC, EIB & Proparco/AFD) on the quality and status of the project throughout the design and construction process.
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Services included reviews of engineering and design and the works agreed against the programme and cost plan. We also validated progress milestones used to support loan disbursements.
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A key element included evaluation of environmental and social performance against a construction environmental management plan to ensure all environmental and social impacts were managed within accepted international standards.
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We also undertook environmental and social audits on a quarterly basis to monitor the implementation of the plan on the ground.
Solution
A programme of construction labour audits was initiated. The results brought significant improvements to the living conditions of the workers on site. We also took opportunities to highlight good practice implemented by the contractor on site as a result of their international experience, providing a mechanism for encouraging strong performance as well as highlighting areas of weakness.
From our independent position we were able to advise the lenders on the substantive issues and support the development (by the key stakeholders) of appropriate management measures to mitigate environmental and social risks.
Outcome
Our regular presence, ability to understand the project's practical challenges and willingness to adopt a pragmatic approach to solving specific challenges allowed the contractor’s HSE team the space to create solutions to issues, whilst maintaining awareness of the need to manage the environmental and social issues effectively.