Kurdistan Region Government of Iraq (KRG) is set to announce the winners of a project involving the design and construction of 2000 school buildings in Erbil, Sulaimaniya, Dohuk and Garmian in May, at a total estimated cost of USD 4 billion. A total of 60 Arab, local and global companies had participated in the bidding phase, an official source at the region's ministry of education told Zawya.
"To date, 60 different companies of various nationalities including the Gulf countries, Emirati Al Habtoor group of companies; Jordan's Babel General Contracting; a Lebanese, British and an Irish company; in addition to several local companies have participated. Among these is Darin - a renowned local contractor in the field of construction. We are very pleased by the sheer number of interested bidders; and are currently in the process of examining documents of the bidding companies, that include background and references, capital, commitment to projects undertaken and adherence to deadlines," said Nehru Sayed Abdalla, director general of the general authority for educational buildings at the ministry of education, KRG.
Abdalla added that following the company reviews, only 25 companies will be shortlisted, upon which the final result is expected to be announced by May. Upon the announcement, work related preparing the designated lands and removing old buildings will commence by July.
The closing date was set at 3rd March 2013; and project construction is expected to last for duration of 10 years, extending over four phases; each phase comprising the construction of a total of 500 schools.
Kurdistan had announced a call for tenders on 28th January 2013 for this project; the cost of which has been included in the region's budget, and has been tentatively estimated at USD 4 billion.
Each school is expected to occupy an area of 5,000 meters, and to include between 9, 12 and 18 classrooms; in addition to other premises, such as administration offices, yards and cafeterias; and the construction of two kindergarten classes. The project also involves the construction of 250 schools during the first two years; with the construction of the remaining schools to be divided over the subsequent eight year period.
According to Abdalla, "The first 500 furnished schools and kindergartens will be split into four groups (one group per governorate); with the winning company possibly being awarded one group or more, depending on its qualifications and capabilities. It would therefore be possible to award the contract to multiple companies simultaneously."
"This project - despite increasing the magnitude of government spending - will greatly contribute to improving the educational milieu, as well as in helping avail numerous employment opportunities in various specializations," said Mohamed Salman Mohamed, professor of finance at Salahuddin University.
© Zawya 2013
