OBA in Road Network Management and Maintenance

Performance-based Management and Maintenance of Roads (PMMR) contracts, whereby governments transfer the management and maintenance of roads to specialized private companies, have been effectively introduced in Chad. The success of these initial schemes has generated interest in their wider use within sub-Saharan Africa. Improved road quality will mean better access for the poor to markets and services (especially in rural areas), and will facilitate the provision of better and more affordable transport services. GPOBA’s Technical Assistance funding has helped governments explore and implement PMMR contracts.

As of August, 31, 2009, the team has completed the following tasks: carried out evaluation visits to Cape Verde and Tanzania, completed field assignments in Tanzania, Chad, Madagascar and Cape Verde, presented several workshops on OBA in road management and maintenance in those countries, and completed bidding documents and prequalification documents for Tanzania (5), Cape Verde (3), Madagascar (3) and Chad (1).

The results of a World Bank-financed PMMR arrangement in Chad have been good. Some 440 km of unpaved roads are being managed and maintained to service level specifications since mid-2001. Because of this positive experience with PMMR contracts to date, other countries in Africa are exploring PMMR as a way to improve road conditions in a fiscally responsible manner. GPOBA’s funds have directly supported these efforts and have helped complete bidding and prequalification processes for PMMR contracts in Tanzania (5), Cape Verde (3), Madagascar (3) and Chad (1).

GPOBA’s Technical Assistance funds have provided support for the design, implementation and evaluation of pilot projects, including: developing workshops for information and consensus-building; technical and financial studies to develop and implement specific projects; and, monitoring and evaluating projects. GPOBA funds have also aided in the identification and the broad dissemination of knowledge related to the role and application of OBA and PMMR in the project’s target countries.

BCEOM, an engineering consulting firm (selected through an international and competitive procurement process), has received GPOBA funds in compensation for its work in support of various government agencies.

Andreas Schliessler [3]