Project background

The AIM Project in the Eastern Region supports RDTL National Development Plan (2002 - 2007) (NDP) and is designed to facilitate the country’s economic and social development through the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the bridge network in the eastern region (Viqueque and Lautem). 

Project activities

With a primary focus on improving access to potential growth centres, the ultimate objective of the Project is to promote socio-economic development in the Viqueque and Lautem Districts as a means of reducing poverty. The Project aimed to achieve this through the provision of five bridges. The actual construction of bridges was done in three stages.  The first stage (Phase I) involved a technical feasibility study and site investigation leading to a Conceptual Design Report. This investigated the topography of the proposed bridge locations, the sub-soil conditions, hydrology, etc, and prepared preliminary designs for the bridging of the rivers. The report also examined socio-economic aspects of the Project including agricultural production, market access, the current situation of the communities living in the area, and any likely environmental impacts.

Phase II built on the Conceptual Design Report, and bridge type options and crossing locations were established and approved by Project team and MoI.  It was then agreed that the Project could proceed with detailed designs, Bill of Quantities (BoQ), specifications and tender documents. Subsequent to approval of the detailed designs and tender documents, the Project tender was launched for the five bridges as a single tender to invited contractors who had prequalified from successful submissions. Submitted tenders were evaluated and from the Tender Evaluation Report, the Works Contractor was appointed.

The third stage (Phase III) was the Supervision of Construction phase. The Consultant was responsible for the supervision of carrying out of the construction works by the contractor; Penta Ocean Construction Ltd. who was appointed after the evaluation of the tenders received through an international competitive bidding process.

Project results

The intended key beneficiaries of this project are farmers and traders in the two districts and their surroundings. The government counterpart for this Programme is the Ministry of Infrastructure (MoI).