Monitoring, Inspection, Milestone Certification and Design Review (MIMDR) of USAID/Pakistan Energy Office Projects

The program aimed to ensure that projects were implemented in accordance with USAID's guidelines and that milestones were met. The initiative was led by AAA-TCI, a contractor hired by USAID. During the period from July 1 to July 31, 2016, the following progress was achieved: The kickoff meeting for the MIMDR initiative was held on July 1, 2016, at the Islamabad Office USAID. The minutes of the meeting were submitted on July 12, 2016. Documents related to the approval of the power house crane design and the request for reimbursement of milestone # 7 of the Mangla Dam Project were received in the office of AAA-TCI on July 13, 2016. The documents were under review and required further information for evaluation. Implementation of the MIMDR initiative focused on four key areas: farmer training, infrastructure development, infrastructure development, and market linkage facilitation. The program aimed to improve crop yields and increase market access for farmers. The initiative also focused on the implementation of sustainable agriculture practices, such as composting and crop rotation. The documents related to the Tarbela Dam project were received in the office of AAA-TCI on July 19, 2016. The documents were under review and required further information for inspection. The site visit for the Tarbela Dam project was planned for July 27, 2016. The cost realism and budget of the Kaitu weir project were under review, and the list of required documents for cost realism was shared with USAID on July 26, 2016. The program also focused on the implementation of the branding and marking plan, which was under review and required further information for evaluation. The revised branding and marking plan was submitted to USAID on July 28, 2016. The site visit for the Tarbela Dam project was held on July 27 and 28, 2016, and the details of the visit were shared with USAID via email on July 29, 2016. During the period from August 1 to August 14, 2016, the following progress was achieved: The first monthly progress report was submitted on August 1, 2016. The observations received from USAID on the branding and marking plan were on August 2, 2016. Access to USAID Pak Info was activated on August 2, 2016. The inventory listing for asset disposition was shared with AAA-TCI on August 4, 2016, and the formal approval of asset disposition was received on August 12, 2016. The budget estimate and timeline for conducting the REA on Golen Gol were sent on August 3, 2016. The observations of USAID were received on August 4, 2016, and the revised estimate and clarifications regarding timeline and estimate were sent to USAID on August 5, 2016. The milestone breakup of the timeline as required by USAID was submitted on August 12, 2016. The guidance on Tax/GST-related matters was shared with AAA-TCI by USAID on August 5, 2016, and was shared with the finance department of AAA-TCI. The team conducted a meeting on August 5, 2016, with PD Kurram Tangi Dam for information required to carry out milestone preparation and cost realism. The COP visited NTDC for the Jhimpir Transmission Line Project on August 10, 2016. The certification of the invoice and reimbursement of milestone # 7 of the Mangla Dam Project was in process and would be submitted shortly. The list of personnel involved in conducting the Tarbela Equipment inspection was shared with USAID on August 5, 2016, and the visit was held on August 11 and 12, 2016. The way forward for the MIMDR initiative included the submission of the inception report, the submission of the revised Security Plan, Branding implementation & marking plan, the certification of the invoice, reimbursement of milestone # 7 of the Mangla Dam Project, and the visit report of the Tarbela Project.