Emergency assistance to Djibouti transport sector

Final PES covers the period 2/80-3/83 and is based on document review. The project generally met its objectives. The ferry was quickly put into operation and operated steadily from 3/80-6/81 during a limited emergency caused by breakdown of the regular ferry; it operated intermittently thereafter (when the replacement ferry was being repaired). The U.S. Navy trained a five-person crew to operate and maintain the ferry, furnished basic parts, provided follow-on technical assistance, and identified the sole private U.S. supplier of engine parts. Problems occurred, however, because the Government of Djibouti"s (GROD) Port Authority, accustomed to the traditional French mode of assistance, expected a longer U.S. commitment than that stipulated in the project agreement. This misunderstanding was probably rooted in the fact that this was A.I.D."s first project activity in Djibouti. Operation of the ferry was essential to trade between the city and the north, specifically to Djibouti"s first export-earning industrial venture, a mineral water bottling plant at Tadjourah. No reports were ever received concerning level of cargo, passengers transported, or the financial status of the ferry"s operations, however, and its effectiveness in shipping bottled water was limited by the difficulty of loaded trucks using the ferry"s ramp and reluctance of the GROD to make agreed-upon modifications to the Tadjourah jetty to accommodate the vessel. Maintenance of the ferry was the responsibility of a French-led team of Djiboutians, but though the Djiboutian technicians were U.S. Navy-trained, the French officials denied them any maintenance responsibility and eventually transferred them to other areas. The main difficulty with the boat"s operation was related to overheating caused by poor maintenance and increased by the Port Authority"s insistence that the pilot run the vessel at "battle" speed of 2200 rpm instead of cruising speed, 1800 rpm. While the project created some initial political goodwill, this effect could be dissipated unless the GROD keeps the ferry in good condition and available for use as a standby vessel.