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WORLD NEWS
CONSTRUCTION EUROPE
DECEMBER 2013-JANUARY 2014
NAMIBIA
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has
agreed a ZAR2.9 billion (€249 million) loan to the
Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) to finance the
construction of a container terminal at Port of Walvis
Bay. The Namport development is part of Namibia’s
National Development Plan, which aims to position
the country as a regional logistics hub by 2017.
GLOBAL
The World Bank’s executive directors have approved
a new framework for the way projects are procured.
The Bank said its vision was, “Procurement in Bank
operations supports clients to achieve value for
money with integrity in delivering sustainable
developments.”This could signal a change in several
aspects of how the Bank awards contracts, and the
stance it will take towards fraud and corruption.
A key change in that in considering the economic
value of bids, the Bank says in its proposal that it will
consider initial price along with competitiveness,
quality, life-cycle costs and benefits. This implies a
move away from “lowest price wins” policies.
AFRICA
The Regional Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project
has been awarded development funding from
the African Development Bank and Nigeria Trust
totalling US$113.3 million (€83.4 million) to help
finance part of the Burundi transmission line from
the Rusumo Falls power plant. The Rusumo Falls
project will increase renewable power generating
capacity and access to electricity in Tanzania,
Rwanda and Burundi. The three countries will share
the power generated equally. The project has two
components – an 80MW hydropower generation
plant, and transmission lines and substations.
Construction of the transmission facilities is
scheduled for completion by August 2018.
EAST AFRICA
Ground has been broken on a new US$4 billion (€2.9
billion) rail link between the Kenyan capital Nairobi
and the port city of Mombasa. The 500km scheme
is due for completion in 2017, with China Road and
Bridge Corporation (CRBC) the main contractor
and the majority of the finance coming from the
Export-Import Bank of China. The line is part of an
ambitious international railway network planned
for East Africa. There are plans for a network that
will link major cities in Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia,
Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda, reaching more
than 1,500km inland from Mombasa and as far as
1,500km north to the Ethiopian capital of Addis
Ababa.
AFRICA
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved
financing worth US$73.6 million (€54.2 million)
to Malawi and Zambia to support phase four of
the 900km Multinational Nacala Road Corridor
Development Project. The project is a continuation
of the Nacala Road Development Corridor being
supported by the AfDB in Mozambique, Malawi,
and Zambia, respectively. Phase IV will include the
rehabilitation of a 75km road between Liwonde and
Mangochi.
WORLD IN BRIEF
GLOBAL
Results of corruption survey
At the other end of
the scale, Somalia,
North Korea and
Afghanistan all scored
less than 10 out of 100,
and other low-ranked
countries included
Sudan, South Sudan,
Libya, Iraq, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan, Syria,
Yemen and Haiti.
TI bases its findings
on expert opinion of
corruption in different
countries, drawn from
a range of sources and
business surveys.
TI said the need for
greater accountability
was clear, and
gvernments needed to
turn pledges into actions.
Construction is one of
the industries at greatest
risk from corruption
around the world.
According to
consultantcy Grant
Thornton, bribery, fraud
and other illegal activities
could cost the industry as
much as US$860 billion
(€633 billion) per year –
10% of its value.
ce
Transparency
International (TI) has
released the results of
its global public-sector
corruption perceptions
survey. As in previous
years, the research shows
a link between poverty
and an increased risk of
corruption.
The cleanest countries
in the 2013 survey were
Denmark and New
Zealand, which scored
more than 90 out of a
possible 100 on the scale
of perceived corruption.
PHILIPPINES
Industry aids typhoon
reconstruction work
Banks and equipment manufactures provide
support after Typhoon Haiyan devastation
E
mergency funding and equipment donations have been granted for the relief
and reconstruction work being carried out in the Philippines following Typhoon
Haiyan.
One of the most powerful storms ever recorded on land, the typhoon made landfall
on the eastern and central islands of the Philippines on 8 November. It destroyed
buildings, uprooted trees and sent a huge storm surge into coastal areas. Over 5,500
people are confirmed to have died, with more than 11 million affected.
The World Bank has pledged US$480 million (€353 million) in assistance for the
Philippines National Community Driven Development Project. The project will help
typhoon-affected communities rebuild infrastructure such as water supplies, roads,
schools and clinics, using retroactive financing.
The Asian Development Bank also granted a US$500million (€368million) emergency
loan as well as a US$23 million (€17 million) grant for immediate relief to affected areas.
Meanwhile, manufacturers have also donated construction equipment to help with
the recovery effort. JCB donated US$500,000 (€367,919) worth of equipment – a fleet
of three backhoe loaders and 120 generators.
Hyundai donated US$200,000 (€147,168) via the Korean Red Cross, together with a
21 tonne class excavator, a backhoe loader and operators. Doosan provided five 21.5
tonne DX225LCA excavators and one M200 wheeled loader. In addition, it provided
KRW300 million (€220,751), in co-ordination with the Korean Red Cross.
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Scott Park has been named president & CEO of
Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment (DICE).
He will replace Tony Helsham, who retires in
February, having held the position since 2010.
Park was most recently global vice president of
strategy, manufacturing strategy and total quality
management (TQM) for DICE, a position he held
since early 2012. He previously worked at Volvo
Construction Equipment, a company Helsham was
president of from 2000 to 2008.
Doosan manufactures compact construction
equipment under the Bobcat brand as well as
heavier machinery under its own name. Other divisions include Doosan
Infracore Portable Power, and the Montabert and Geith range of attachments.
Park moves from Volvo
