Govt. Seeking International Consultants to Supervise US$18.4mn Works

Belize's government is seeking international private consultants to provide technical assistance to supervise road and drainage works, as well as help the Transport Ministry in designing a road safety strategy, the World Bank's (WB) Belize project manager Guillermo Ruan told BNamericas.com. The initiative is part of a US13mn WB loan approved along with a five-year Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Belize. The project includes the asphalt paving of a 20km road linking the country's northern and western highways allowing through traffic to bypass the congested urban area of Belize City. A consultant has already been chosen for that part of the project. It also includes maintenance of gravel roads through private sector participation and improving the country's water drainage capacity to handle floods. The total cost of the project will be US$18.4mn. Belize-based company Cisco won a contract several months ago to pave the 20km link road. British engineering consultants Halcrow is due to sign a contract to supervise the works that will involve a total cost US$8.5mn, US$5.5mn of which will be provided by the WB, Ruan said. The other main feature of the project is the rehabilitation and construction of drainage systems in the towns of Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio, Orange Walk and Corozal, costing a total of US$5.7mn, US$3.7mn of which will be provided by the WB. Bidding for the international private consulting contract will be based on national auction procedures. The bidding documents should be available by the end of September, and Ruan said "five or six" foreign companies have submitted proposals for the supervision of the works. The WB is also providing US$750,000 to fund a pilot road maintenance program of 190km of roads in the Orange Walk district. Both local communities and the private sector will participate in the project. The US$13 million, LIBOR-based loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) reaches maturity in 17 years, including a grace period of five years.