Administrator’s Weekly Report — Essential Services (ESS-f6488d2e)

Administrator’s Weekly Report Essential Services 12 - 18 October - 2003 Electricity/Power Objective: Provide Electricity Services that Meet National Needs The Ministry of Electricity (MOE) is implementing its fall maintenance program with plants shutting down units according to a schedule designed to keep peak output above 3,800 MW. Average peak output for the reporting period was 3,907 MW. Maintenance is scheduled to be completed before winter’s cooler months, when electricity demand for heating increases. The US Army Corps of Engineers Task Force Restore Iraqi Electricity is implementing ten generation projects, eight transmission projects, and three management/control projects. These projects will rehabilitate eight generation units, repair four 400 KV transmission lines, and add 360 MW of new electrical generation. Since August 18, USAID has authorized $24.3 million so that Bechtel could provide additional support for CPA’s power generation programs. Health Objective: Improve Quality and Access to Health Care SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT The Ministry of Health (MOH) is developing a strategic plan for a sustainable healthcare system for 2005 and beyond. MOH officials have met with experts at the World Health Organization, World Bank, USAID, European Commission, and non-governmental organizations. The steering committee and nine workgroups will meet this week; they expect to complete the project in the next 10-12 weeks. A small CPA-MOH team traveled to Amman Jordan to discuss transition plans for the termination of the UN’s Oil for Food (OFF) program with UN and WHO representatives. This coordination is critical for the seamless transition from this program. On October 18 a small clinic supporting the medically underserved in west Baghdad was opened. This project was funded by US Army Civil Affairs and is staffed by MOH personnel. The clinic supports those living and working in the vicinity of the Baghdad airport. Internet connectivity was installed at the MOH this week. This system provides five user stations with email and internet capability, and will link CPA staff with the MOH. The MOH anticipates installation of web-based connectivity for the entire MOH within the next month two to four weeks. As the MOH continues to improve operations throughout Iraq, employees have faced increased threats. In all cases, the incidents have occurred off MOH property. The MOH is actively training Facility Protective Services personnel to increase security at healthcare facilities. To date, the MOH has conducted five training sessions, graduating over 1,300 personnel. Transportation Objective: Restore Economically-Strategic Transportation Infrastructure On October 16, the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sent 27 Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to the Jordanian Queen Noor aviation college for a four-week course. This is an important first step towards their recertification as accredited controllers. Transportation Minister Behnam is scheduled to meet with his ministry counterparts and other government officials in both Jordan and Syria, October 21-26. CPA Senior Advisor Darrell Trent will travel with Minister Behnam. The Ministry of Transportation (MOT) is working with Iraqi Airways to formulate a plan, in coordination with other airlines, to fly the Hadj. Iraqi Airways has never failed to fly the Hadj, and the MOT views it as a service of national and religious importance. The MOT continues the renegotiation its Oil for Food contracts through the UN. About 30-35% of the contracts have been renegotiated; the remaining contracts must be completed by November 21. On October 16, CPA released the Request for Proposals for the Air Navigation Systems (ANS) contract. The winning contractor will work with the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority to implement a turnkey ANS solution. Offerings are due on October 30. Additional information is available on the CPA website. A U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is currently conducting counter-drug and counter-smuggling operations at the port of Umm Qasr. The Marines have also been working with Umm Qasr police forces to conduct patrols and checkpoint training. A Baghdad court handed down seven-year prison terms and $2.4 million dollar fines to two Iraqi smugglers at the port of Umm Qasr. CPA has contracted to provide support for the other crew members of the “Navstar I” pending their repatriation to the Ukraine. The Iraqi Republic Railways is negotiating a contract with the Turkish Railway for the transportation of petroleum products. Under the agreement, a train of partially refined crude will be transported to Turkey, where the tanker cars will be cleansed. The train returning to Iraq will transport gasoline. Water Resources Objective: Improve Water Resources Management Irrigation Canals km (estimate) Total Irrigation Canals in Iraq 27,000 Canals in need of clearance May 2003 20,000 Canals cleared as of 27 Sept 15,000 Canals being cleared per week 500 The leadership of the USAID Marsh Restoration team, the Iraq Foundation team leader, and Italian engineers met with the Minister of Water Resources (MWR) to plan for an international team visit in December. The MWR has completed training for 1,000 Facilities Protection Service (FPS) officers to protect all 26 Ministry of Water Resources sites in Baghdad and is transferring authority to assume control of FPS officers throughout the southern governorates. The Senior Advisor and two Ministry leaders traveled to Rome to discuss and finalize Oil for Food contract issues with UN FAO. Labor and Social Affairs Objective: Convert Social Service Programs into Economic Development Tools The new employment center in Baqubah opened, with over 14,000 individuals signed up for employment services. Three staff members of the newly created Department of Labor (DOL office of Employment and Training) traveled to Jordan for a week-long training session with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Over 300,000 former soldiers of the Iraqi army have now been registered with the Department of Labor through a joint IOM/DOL project. The Ministry welcomed Mandanna Hendessi, a leading gender expert who will coordinate women’s issues throughout Iraq. CPA has launched a project to improve the standards of care facilities in the governorates. It should help improve services to vulnerable and disabled people Two courses of training for social workers were completed within the Ministry which will be cascaded in the governorates. Education Objective: Improve Quality and Access to Education The Education Minister Dr. Ala’din Alwan visited schools outside Baghdad and found support for mixed classes for boys and girls where the school-aged population does not justify enrollment in separate schools. MoE encouraged community consensus around this decision before making it. USAID and the MOE have agreed on a quality control process to ensure that every school rehabilitation completed meets all agreed upon standards. The Minister prepared an op-ed for US newspapers regarding the progress and challenges of rebuilding Iraq’s education system. He was interviewed this week by LBC –TV, El Alam, Satellite TV, Shimim Rassam’s radio show, and the BBC World Service. Higher Education Objective: Improve Quality and Access to Higher Education The Ministry of Higher Education has received a record 97,000 Freshmen applications for the 2003-2004 academic year, compared to 63,000 last year. The Ministry believes the increase indicates that the applicants now understand they will not be denied admission for political or ethnic reasons, as was the case under the Ba’ath regime. On October 18, 2003, the Minister endorsed the new policy for the appointment and selection of new Deans. Unlike the past when the Minister had total power to appoint faculty and accept students, the new policies grant autonomy to universities to manage their academic affairs. A dorm for 600 women students was renovated and furnished at the Bab Muadham campus of Baghdad University. On October 13, 2003, Qatar’s H.H. Shaykha Moza bin Nasser Al-Masnad, hosted the University president of Mosul, Baghdad, Munstansarriya and Basra, along with 15 Deans, and launched the Iraq Fund for Higher Education with a personal donation of $15million. Public Works/Sanitation Objective: Provide Water Supply, Sewerage and Municipal Services The Ministry currently estimates 85% completion toward pre-war levels for water, sanitation and municipal services. The Ministry Director General for Planning is in Copenhagen re-negotiating Oil for Food contracts and the scope of services needed to support work for water and sewerage. DATE \@ "M/d/yyyy" 4/21/2004 PAGE 1