Electric power distribution project

The equipment and materials arrived according to plan and have provided the infrastructure necessary to rehabilitate the electrical distribution systems in the Suez Canal area. Several field inspections by USAID/E have verified that the commodities were properly used. The project could have been handled as a Commodity Import Activity (a lesson applicable to future projects of this kind). Unless coinciding with community development, planning the rehabilitation and expansion of distribution systems is a difficult process, since requirements change over the 2-3 year period between design and completion of procurement. Monitoring was difficult because construction work took place some distance from Cairo and without the in-country presence of the U.S. engineering consultant. The lessons learned are that active monitoring of construction and installation work requires frequent visitation to job sites and a planned inspection program. Project experience also taught that without the active involvement of the U.S. consultant working closely with the implementing agency, technical assistance is minimized and the opportunity to develop effective contracting and management procedures lost. Residual end-of-project funds were used to purchase additional equipment. Since the commodities often arrive after project completion and the urgency to use them is greatly diminished, this practice should be carefully evaluated to determine if a true need exists or if equipment is being procured only to use remaining funds.