Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund. Oversight Committee Meeting December 2, 2010 Minutes

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1 Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund Oversight Committee Meeting December 2, 2010 Minutes 1. Introduction Mr. Ohene Nyanin, Co-chair of the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund (LRTF) Oversight Committee (OC) and World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, called the meeting to order, inviting attendees to introduce themselves and welcomed Ishac Diwan, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Mr. Diwan highlighted the importance of Multi Donor Trust Funds (MDTF) in post conflict countries where multilateral and bilateral aid together can have a stronger impact. Mr. Diwan reported that the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund (LRTF) has recorded fast progress, and it has gained visibility as best practice within the Bank. Mr. Nyanin introduced Ventura Bengoechea, acting Task Team Leader for Kremena Ionkova, currently on leave. Hon. Elfrieda Tamba, representing the Minister of Finance as Co-chair of the LRTF OC and Deputy Minister of Finance for Revenue, welcomed the participants. Hon. Johnson N. Gwaikolo, Deputy Minister for Public Works for Administration, was also introduced. 2. LRTF Administration Update Renee Desclaux, Sr. Operations Officer for Liberia and incoming LRTF Administrator provided an update on the LRTF Financial Status. The October 31, 2010 Quarterly Report was reviewed including cash contributions to date and including the EC deposit soon to be made. Commitments under the Urban and Sanitation Project as well as the Urban and Rural Infrastructure Project were confirmed. Ms. Desclaux announced that additional financing for URIRP II was declared effective as of December 1, Mr. Nyanin explained that the Bank is paying particular attention to Trust Fund Accounting. He added that the Bank was recently able to issue the Call of Funds (CoF) for the European Commission (EC) to initiate transfer of their first payment.

2 Paula Vazquez Horyaans, Head of Operations for the EU Delegation to Liberia, confirmed receipt of Call of Funds (CoF) documentation earlier in the day and funds for the first tranche will be transferred the soonest. 3. Project Updates 3.1 Emergency Monrovia Urban Sanitation (EMUS) Mr. Bengoechea reported that the EMUS project continues to progress well. In terms of institutional and project performance there had been activity in recent months as follows: All international consultants have been hired. The primary collection consultant recently completed his second visit, where he assisted the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) in evaluating the proposals received by MCC for primary collection contracts. The MCC received proposals in all zones, many of which were strong. Phase II of the organizational and financial capacity building will commence in January of next year. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) hopes to have on board international and local consultants on board by the time of the Bank's supervision mission during the second half of the month. MCC is taking the recommendations from Phase I seriously and is recruiting for certain key positions. The M&E consultant came for his first visit and is expected to turn in his report and complete shortly. Strong bids have been received from the civil works for the landfill constructions [under both Emergency Infrastructure Project Supplemental Component (EIPSC) and EMUS]. They are currently being evaluated and award is expected in the first half of January. If the weather cooperates, all landfill construction should be completed by the end of August, Contracts for the transfer stations were signed in early November and clearing work is underway. Individuals with property at the transfer station sites have been compensated according to the Resettlement Action Plan and are in the process of evacuating the affected areas. The transfer stations should be completed in early May. Since EMUS is funding construction of landfill cells not envisioned in the original contract, the GOL has asked for an additional $4 million to cover these costs. The MCC is contributing to the Solid Waste Account in accordance with their commitment under the project. Disbursement is at $3.65 million, or 20% of the project total. Next 20% will be disbursed in the next few months.

3 Mr. Diwan inquired about overall (visible) improvements on Solid Waste in Monrovia and also about job creation. Mr. Fischer explained that progress has been visible although there remain areas where individuals (mostly) do not carry out an appropriate behavior in disposing waste. Contractors have incentives in disposing waste in the landfill as they get a percentage on the amount delivered. With respect to individuals, their behavior will improve once the Public Education Campaign is set in motion by MCC under EMUS. With respect to job creation, contractors under the project are hiring individuals to keep certain collection points clean. In addition, the Mayor has staff designated to cleaning the streets. Many are youth hired under a grant issued to MCC by the President. Mr. Ventura added that from the Bank side, procurement for additional trucks is undergoing. Mr. Nyanin emphasized the importance of GoL commitment to continue work on Waste Management. Hon. Tamba ensured the meeting that she would bring the subject forward during the next Stakeholders meeting. She also suggested that LRTF Secretariat would circulate, together with OC Meeting Minutes, action items to facilitate and monitor follow up actions. Hon. Tamba suggested contractors be responsible for areas rather than skips. 3.2 Urban and Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (URIRP) Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmed confirmed that the 15 km section of the Buchanan road (Cotton Tree Bokay Town) have been completed on time. In line with the output and performance based road contracting method, a payment of $8.5 million (i.e. 87% of the total project amount) has been disbursed to date. Most remaining payments represent retained funds, which will be made upon verified completion of works and the end of the Defects Liability Period. Regarding URIRP II (i.e. the additional financing to URIRP for the rehabilitation of the remainder of the road to Buchanan), the IIU submitted their LIB evaluation report to the Bank on November 11, The Bank is reviewing the evaluation report and comments expected from the Bank s Regional Procurement Management (RPM) shall be sent to the IIU very soon. Based on the RPM s review, the IIU will carry-out further due diligence and commence Pre-Contract Discussions with the lowest evaluated bidder. The process is expected to lead towards the award of the contract. The works on the remaining 56.5 km of road section under the LIB (all the way to Buchanan Port) are scheduled to complete within two years from the start of works.

4 3.3 Liberia Road Asset Management Project (LIBRAMP) The IIU has completed the bidding documents for the DBMT/OPRC for Red Light Ganta works and is ready to issue the Specific Procurement Notice (SPN) or bid invitation. The IIU is preparing to distribute the bidding documents to all interested parties. In addition to wide publication, the SPN will also be sent to all firms that attended the OPRC Road Show in Brussels and Monrovia in 2009 and to those firms that were invited to these events. A Pre-bid conference with interested contractors is scheduled for February 15, In the above context, a Bank mission is planned for pre-appraisal during the second and third week of December The project is planned to be presented for approval to the Board of the World Bank in March As such, given the readiness of the GoL, a meeting of the Bank s Regional Operations Committee (ROC) is scheduled for Monday, Dec 13, The ROC will consider the draft package for the proposed LIBRAMP. Ms. Beatrice Dück, LRTF Program Manager for KfW, expressed interest in the OPRC methodology as well as some concern regarding the missing maintenance component on the Buchanan corridor. She also inquired about a presentation on road maintenance mentioned during the September 2010 LRTF OC Meeting. Mr. Zulfiqar commented that the ongoing project (URIRP) is partially OPRC (Design-Build without maintenance) and deferred to GoL on the question of presentation. Deputy Min. Gwaikolo of the MPW confirmed that the GOL was making preparations to develop an overall road maintenance strategy that could be presented in the next meeting. Mr. Diwan added that OPRC projects are not new to the World Bank s work in several countries. Mr. Paul Smith, Infrastructure Task Manager for the European Commission (EC), emphasized that the EC decided to finance LIBRAMP based on the inclusion of the maintenance component in the 10-year OPRC contract and confirmed interest in the Road Maintenance Presentation from the MPW. Ms. Alvina Norman, Legal Counselor at the Ministry of Public Works reported that currently there are seven road projects that are being upgraded from laterite roads to paved. MoPW is developing a strategy under a GTZ project, and MoPW is aware that notwithstanding costing gaps the need to protect the huge investment to Buchannan corridor is well understood. So far, road maintenance has been provided on an ad hoc basis but with the creation of a Road Authority and a Road Maintenance Fund this critical issue shall be addressed very soon. Mr. Zulfiqar deferred to Mr. Emmanuel A. James (TTL) to apprise the meeting of the efforts the Bank has initiated on road maintenance. Mr. James informed that the Bank was working with the IIU on developing a program using microenterprises for maintenance. Given the high level of unemployment rates and the lack of specialized contractors, it is an appropriate solution for

5 Liberia that is very well practiced in the Latin American countries. The supervision and quality control of the microenterprises would be the responsibility of the MPW; this is usually a welcome development for public works staff because microenterprises represent a lesser administrative burden than either the alternatives of day labor or the recurrent mobilization of small contractors. In this context, selection of a consultant firm that would develop the Concept under a modular approach to review the necessary legal and regulatory framework was in progress; the definition of methodology for creating and implementing microenterprises; and the selection and training of the promoters as well as the scoping of communities along the candidate roads were in progress as well. The candidate section to pilot the concept in Liberia shall be the road from Monrovia city to the Roberts Int l Airport (RIA), which is part of the Monrovia to Buchannan corridor. Mr. Nyanin reassured the meeting that road maintenance is a sector wide issue and the Government of Liberia is aware and working on it. Mr. Nyanin explained, for a post conflict country such as Liberia, this seems an appropriate time to ensure maintenance becomes part of Government planning. Also the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs (MoPEA) is including road maintenance in the next PRS. Hon. Tamba emphasized the importation of coordination among relevant Ministries on the matter to ensure budget planning is synchronized with management of assets and funding needs. Based on evidence of progress in projects, Mr. Nyanin invited LRTF Observers to become part of the LRTF OC and make contributions to the LRTF. 4. Discussion/Any Other Business On Reporting, Ms. EC Paula requested bi-annual progress report against Project Development Objectives (DPOs). Mr. Diwan suggested World Bank Implementation Status Reports (ISRs) be circulated to LRTF OC Members and perhaps discuss with donors on a revised format to ensure reporting to donor agencies in headquarters (and governments) is appropriate and on time. OC Members were invited to familiarize themselves with the Donor Portal on Client Connection. Mr. Nyanin suggested that a meeting between donors and LRTF Secretariat take place to discuss how to improve format for reporting.

6 [ANNEX A] Follow-up actions Matrix Follow up Solid Waste Action Deadline Status Person Responsible Ensure Stakeholders Meeting discuss Solid Waste Hon. Tamba Road Maintenance LRTF Quarterly Report Presentation to be delivered at next LRTF OC Meeting Distribute Report 2 weeks prior to LRTF Quarterly Meeting LRTF Reporting Conduct Meetings with LRTF Donors to ensure Reporting (Financial and Results) is in line with Donor Requirements LRTF Reporting Circulate Implementation Status Reports (ISRs) for EMUS and URIRP LRTF Reporting Tutoring Session with LRTF Committee Members (DONORS) to familiarize with Client Connection/Donor Portal (March 2011) On going MoPW Mid LRTF Secretariat February 2011 ASAP Ongoing LRFT Secretariat and Co-Chairs ASAP LRFT Secretariat and Co-Chairs, TTLs LRTF Secretariat

7 [ANNEX B] LRFT OC Meeting ATTENDEES December 2, 2010 Name Title Organization LRTF CO-CHAIRS Ohene Nyanin Country Manager World Bank Hon. Elfrieda Tamba Deputy Minister for Revenue Ministry of Finance OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS Hon. Johnson N. Gwaikolo Deputy Minister for Administration Ministry of Public Works Margaret Parker (Representing Chairman ) Paula Vazquez Horyaans Paul Smith David Belgrove Beatrice Dueck Orla Sheehy Head of Operations Infrastructure Task Manager UK Political and Development Liaison Officer/Resident Representative Sector Economist, Program Manager LRTF' Programme Advisor for the Liberia Programme National Investment Commission EU Delegation to Liberia EU Delegation to Liberia United Kingdom KFW German Development Bank Irish Aid LRTF SECRETARIAT Renee M. Desclaux Senior Operations Officer World Bank Serena Cavicchi Operations Consultant World Bank Roosevelt Tule Communication Associate World Bank WORLD BANK Ishac Diwan Country Director World Bank

8 Jeremy Fischer Infrastructure Consultant World Bank Emmanuel A. James Program Coordinator World Bank Ventura Bengoechea Task Team Leader World Bank Muhammad Zulfiqar Ahmed Sr. Transport Engineer World Bank Yitzhak A. Kamhi Consultant World Bank OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE OBSERVERS Marion Wortmann Senior Auditor for KfW PwC Clemence Landers Scott Family Liberia Fellow Ministry of Finance Alvina Norman Legal Consultant Ministry of Public Works Anthony Carvhalo Infrastructure Advisor USAID Miura Shitau Head of JICA JICA

LRTF Quarterly Report March 1, As of February 22, 2012, the LRTF status was as follows: USD million

LRTF Quarterly Report March 1, 2012 I. LRTF Administration As of February 22, 2012, the LRTF status was as follows: USD million Contributions Received Cash Contributions $146,902,156.80 Investment Income