Palestine
Grant Aid for Community Empowerment
Celebrate the Inauguration Ceremony for the Rehabilitation of Electrical Networks and Community Roads under "The Project for Support for the Public Activities of the Communities in Jordan Valley"- A Multi-component Project that is Concurrently Promoting Aid in Several Spheres -
Rehabilitated road
"The Project for Support for the Public Activities of the Communities in Jordan Valley" is implemented as part of the concept for creating "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity*1" advocated by the Government of Japan. In Palestine, the economy is run down and it is difficult to provide a satisfactory level of public services to local residents. In particular, Jordan Valley - the area strictly influenced by Israeli occupation policies - faces serious problem of lack of educational facilities, medical/health facilities, community centers and dilapidated roads and electrical networks. For the purpose of improving the living environment of the residents of Jordan Valley, the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) of the Executive Authority of the Palestinian Authority closely examined needs of each of the villages, and requested the Government of Japan for the construction of 14 facilities, rehabilitation of roads in 4 districts, rehabilitation of electrical networks in 7 villages and procurement of necessary equipment. Implementation of this Project was decided in March 2010.
Completed electrical transmission lines
JICS, as a procurement agent for and on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, carries out project management services including procurement of services and equipment necessary for promoting this Project and management of project funds. This Project is a multi-component project that is promoting aid across several spheres such as medical and educational facilities, roads and electrical infrastructure simultaneously and there were difficult aspects in coordinating the activities among broad range of governmental agencies and other stakeholders. However, having had engaged in two other construction projects in Palestine as a procurement agent, JICS has promoted this Project with frequent consultations with the concerned parties while fully utilizing its experience that JICS had built up in so far.
- Japan Lights the Way to Palestinians -
Constructed pipe culvert*2
The once dark and unpaved roads are now lightened and paved for the benefit of approximately 9,000 persons in the five villages - Beit Hassan, Al-Nassariyah, Al-Aqrabaniyah, Al-Nawaji and Ein Shibli - Mid East of Jordan Valley in the Palestinian Territories.
"I am very delighted and would like to congratulate all stakeholders, including about 9,000 residents in these villages. I would also like to urge them to make sure that these projects are up and running in due course for the people living in the Jordan Valley," assured Mr. Naofumi Hashimoto, the Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority. "Japan is determined to support the well-being of all Palestinians and government's efforts to establish a viable independent state for the Palestinians living in peace, security and prosperity."
That was in the inauguration ceremony held on March 21, 2012 for the rehabilitation of 13.1km of community roads and the upgrading of electric power supply including the installation of electric towers, lines and poles for the five villages. The two construction projects come under the umbrella of this Project.
"This Project covers all aspects of life and is beneficial for all ages," appreciated Mr. Mazen Ghnaim, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG), thanking the Japanese Government particularly JICS who implementated of the Project since the beginning.
"If we want to mention the Projects of our dear Japanese friends, they are countless; they have constructed us a school, a clinic, a women center and much more," asserted Mr. Khaled Hamdan, Director of the Joint Council Services for Mid-Jordan Valley.
Jordan Valley is in massive need of decent public services to improve the living environment of the residents. This Project fulfills the needs and empowers the communities of Jordan Valley in parallel with the Palestinian Authority's long term economic growth and development plan for establishing a basis of sustainable economic development in the region.
The Project is expected to be completed by the end of the current year.
*1: Corridor for Peace and Prosperity: A medium-long term initiative by the Government of Japan which aims co-existence of Palestine and Israel in the future and started up the Four-Party Consultative Unit attended by Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Japan. This concept involves an effort to materialize projects that promote regional cooperation while strategically and flexibly utilizing Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA).
*2: Pipe culvert: Water drainage pipes across the understructure of road
Inauguration Ceremony
Tape cutting by Mr. Ghnaim, the Deputy Minister of MOLG (right) and Mr. Hashimoto, the Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority (center)
JICS Staff received an award shield by MOLG.
Basic Information of This Project
| Project Name | The Project for Support for the Public Activities of the Communities in Jordan Valley in the Palestinian Authority |
| Grant Amount | 1,176,000,000 Japanese Yen |
| Agent Agreement Counterparty | Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) (The Executive Authority of the Palestinian Authority) |
| Project Profile | Constructing educational facilities, medical/health facilities and community centers; rehabilitation of community roads and electrical networks; and procurement of necessary equipment, in order to improve the infrastructure for public services in the Jordan Valley area |
| JICS' Role | Carrying out the project management services including procurement of services and equipment necessary for this project and management of project funds. |
| Procured Project Components |
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| Progress of the Project/Present Status | July 2010: Contracting with the design and construction supervision consultant, Mohri, Architect & Associates, Inc. December 2010: Contracting with 3 construction companies for facilities construction January 2011: Starting the works of facilities construction April 2011: Contracting with 3 construction companies for electricity and roads construction May 2011: Starting the works of electricity and roads construction December 2011 to February 2012: Contracting with 8 suppliers for the procurement of furniture and equipment December 2011: Completion of roads construction January, February 2012: Completion of electricity construction |