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Learn about Bechtel's role in Iraq's infrastructure repair, including Port of Umm Qasr, schools, power systems, roads, rail, airports, water, and telecommunications projects. Progress, achievements, and future goals highlighted.
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Elias Semaan Iraq Infrastructure Reconstruction Project Update
Program Goals CPA Sectors North Central Heartland South
Program Goals • U.S. Government Mandate • Restoration of the country’s key infrastructure is a priority of the U.S. government’s effort to strengthen Iraq’s economy and ensure delivery of essential services to the Iraqi people. • Bechtel’s Role • Our contract, which runs through December 2004, is for emergency infrastructure repair and rehabilitation work in Iraq. • Key Priority • Bechtel intends to subcontract 90% of this work and is working to maximize the participation of Iraqis.
Staffing • As of December 28, 2003, 128 Bechtel personnel are in Iraqi offices and camps in Baghdad, Mosul, Basrah, and Al Hillah
Port of Umm Qasr • Port opened to commercial traffic on June 16 • Dredging, wreck removal, and grain facility rehabilitation are complete • Port is open to ferry service from Dubai and to bulk ships delivering food and humanitarian supplies • 450 jobs created, including employment by Iraqi Grain Board
Subcontracts • Over 10,000 companies from 100 countries have registered on Bechtel’s supplier portal • 183 subcontracts awarded to date • 128 subcontracts to 102 different Iraqi companies • Goal is to maximize participation of Iraqis, with 70% of subcontracted work going to Iraqi firms
Schools • USAID, with Bechtel’s assistance, rehabilitated1,239 schools in less than 3 months • Met goal to complete work by start of the new school year • More than 30,000 local laborers at work at program’s peak • Approximately 1 million children returned to newly refurbished schools • Site visits and follow-up meetings continue, to ensure satisfactory work at all schools in Bechtel’s scope
Power • At the direction of USAID, Bechtel is reconstructing, repairing, rehabilitating, and upgrading Iraq’s power system • Work includes generation, transmission, and distribution; CPA Program support; and institutional strengthening of Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity • Working with other USAID and CPA contractors, restored generation to pre-conflict levels of 4,400 MW per day • Progressing toward target of 6,000 MW per day by summer 2004
Roads and Bridges • Bechtel is reconstructing three key bridges in Iraq: Khazir Bridge, Al Mat Bridge, and Tikrit Bridge • Four-lane Al Mat Bridge bypass completed in July 2003 • Reconstruction work moving forward on all three priority bridges
Rail • Bechtel and Iraqi Republic Railways (IRR) are constructing a new European-standard rail line to improve freight transport service from the Port of Umm Qasr to the rest of Iraq • Five-fold increase in train service expected • Repairing IRR-owned equipment and workshops • Training IRR personnel in current industry practices
Airports • Bechtel is helping to restore critical infrastructure at Baghdad and Basrah International Airports • Baghdad airport ready to receive commercial flights • Work includes: • Providing emergency power • Installing communications systems • Installing security fencing and lighting
Water/Wastewater • The mission: Restore Iraq’s water and sanitation systems to ensure a reliable supply of potable water to the general public • Work includes restoring water and sanitation systems in Baghdad and six other urban centers across Iraq • Completed work on Safwan water supply system south of Basrah, restoring reliable potable water service to Safwan’s 40,000 residents • Ongoing wastewater treatment facility restoration work in Baghdad is helping improve sanitation service for 700,000 people
Telecommunications • Bechtel is working to restore connectivity to Baghdad area telephone subscribers, and to restore the fiber optic backbone to pre-conflict functionality • The program includes: • Installing containerized switches at 12 sites, allowing reconnection of 240,000 subscribers • Installing international satellite gateway in Baghdad to enable international calls • Restoring the country’s main north-south fiber optic backbone