RY-THIRD PUBLIC WORKS

closed

The overall development objective of the Third Public Works Project in Yemen would be the continued support in the provision of needed infrastructure to improve services and environmental conditions (particularly those affecting women and children); and, the creation of short term employment. The Project would also seek to ensure the sustainability of these measures through: (a) community involvement in project selection, preparation, and implementation; and, (b) development of local contracting and consulting firms. The first component - community infrastructure - will finance subprojects, selected by communities, and local governments. Such subprojects will be evaluated, and prioritized, to be consolidated in quarterly investment programs, and should collectively have national coverage, with emphasis on poverty areas, and a high labor content, including community participation. These small scale subprojects will cover rural, and urban water supply and sanitation, storm water drainage, flood protection, rural roads and sidewalks, schools and health centers. A second component - technical assistance and consulting services - will assist selected districts to carry out the assessment of their infrastructure needs, their capacity for implementation, preparation of medium term investment plan, assessment of revenue sources, and establishment of management information systems. In addition, the design and supervision preparation includes a) assisting communities and local governments in the identification of subprojects, with preparation of proposals and requests for financing; b) preparation of feasibility studies, engineering design, and tender documentation; c) construction supervision; d) benefit assessment surveys; e) auditing; f) training, including workshops, for consulting firms, contractors, and NGOs; (g) training of local communities in the infrastructure operation and maintenance; and, h) environmental assessments and other technical advisory services as needed. A study on future project options includes the role of the Project Management Unit (PMU). As a third component, the PMU's incremental operational costs, including training costs, will be financed.