ES3R Monthly Report – July 2015

The project's objectives are aligned with the Feed the Future (FTF) initiative, which aims to address the root causes of global hunger by sustainably increasing agricultural productivity. The ES3R project will provide infrastructure investment in the rehabilitation of rural farm-to-market roads to support the FTF program's Food and Enterprise Development (FED) component. Within the ES3R project, three main objectives have been identified. Objective 1 involves providing construction oversight for the rehabilitation of 83.5 kilometers of farm-to-market roads in Bong, Lofa, and Nimba counties. Objective 2 requires the production of engineering designs and construction documents for the rehabilitation of 450 kilometers of farm-to-market roads in Bong, Lofa, Nimba, and Grand Bassa counties. Objective 3 involves training and pre-qualifying five local architect-engineer firms capable of providing oversight for road rehabilitation activities. During the reporting period, the ES3R team was engaged in field surveys, interventions, and geotechnical and hydrology data collection in preparation for road and culvert design. Construction oversight activities in the three counties continued, along with capacity building activities in the planning of on-the-job training to A&E engineers. The team also conducted monthly site inspections and progress meetings in the counties, attended by USAID COR, ES3R team members, and local MPW representatives. The ES3R team has adopted a revised team structure, as outlined in the Y2 Work-plan. Team 1 is responsible for road and pipe culvert design in Lofa and Nimba counties, as well as construction oversight in Lofa. Team 2 is responsible for road and pipe culvert design in Grand Bassa and Bong counties, along with construction oversight in Bong County. The team structure includes a Field Team Leader, Resident/Design Engineer, Inspector Engineer, and Surveyor, among others. The ES3R project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The team has conducted field surveys, collected geotechnical and hydrology data, and provided construction oversight in the three counties. The project has also made progress in capacity building, with on-the-job training planned for A&E engineers. The ES3R team has also received communications from USAID, including requests for review of contractor IPCs and confirmation of proposed guest lists for inauguration ceremonies. The ES3R project has also made progress in design and documentation, with the production of engineering designs and construction documents for the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads. The project has also made progress in training and capacity building, with the pre-qualification of local architect-engineer firms capable of providing oversight for road rehabilitation activities. The ES3R project has also received approval for Contract Modification 4 from USAID, which will enable the project to proceed with the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads in the four counties. The project has also received approval for the insertion of indicators proposed by LMEP, which will be entered on an annual basis. Overall, the ES3R project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, with a strong focus on construction oversight, design and documentation, training and capacity building, and project management. The project continues to work closely with USAID and local stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.