Program Management and Implementation Consultant (PMISC), Technical Assistance to Implement Small Irrigation Program Phase II

Client: Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC)
Funding Agency: Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC)
Period:July 2020 to December 2024
Consulting Association:JV of GEOCE Consultants (P) Ltd, Total Management Services Pvt Ltd & Aviyaan
Approx. Value of Services: Total- US$ 1,493,000; GEOCE’s part-US$ 597,200
Professional Staff Input:International (2) and National (223) person months for Project Implementation Team

Salient Details

The Small Irrigation Programme (SIP), Phase II will provide year-round irrigation to 20,000 ha in about 1,300 small irrigation schemes through community driven process benefiting 65,000 small farming households with an aim to double their agriculture income. The expected impact of the program is to reduce the poverty of small farmers especially from the disadvantaged groups by increasing their agricultural incomes. This will be achieved through three outcomes: (i) local Governments respond effectively to needs of small farmers for irrigated agriculture; (ii) small farmers especially disadvantaged groups increase agricultural productivity and (iii) market actors offer innovative supports and products to farmers in irrigated schemes. The main approach of the programme is to consolidate the positive results in development of irrigation infrastructure, and further refine scheme design to condition these schemes for dry season irrigation of high value crops, and thus create enabling conditions for the introduction of commercialized agriculture. LGs shall actively support the introduction of improved agriculture practices with a focus on the production of high value cash crops as well as ensuring a conducive environment for the development of the private sector exist and facilitate the linkage between the input and output markets with the farmers.

The programme components include:

⦁ Institutional strengthening and capacity development of Local Governments (LGs)
⦁ Improved irrigation infrastructures
⦁ Water Users Associations irrigation system management
⦁ Agriculture market

The program covers 55 municipalities in mid-hills of Ilam, Panchthar, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, and Udaypur districts of Province 1.

In brief, the roles of the PMISC are to support programme implementation as well a policy initiative for a uniform sub-sector approach for small irrigation development.

The scope of services include: (i) preparation of Yearly Plan of Operation (YPO) for the Government of Nepal for the programme implementation; (ii) programme management and implementation support to the PSU; (iii) assistance in the identification and screening of potential projects, (iv) strengthening Water User Associations (WUAs); (v) undertaking feasibility assessments of screened projects using a comprehensive participatory approach, (vi) preparing detailed designs and bill of quantities (BOQs), (vii) construction supervision, (viii) support to WUAs in undertaking project irrigation works, (ix) assure synergy with other SDC funded programmes/projects in the agriculture sector for developing and implementing agricultural extension programs; (x) support in monitoring of programme in terms of physical and financial progresses; (xi) prepare Fund Flow Analysis (FFA) and; (xii) prepare Outcome Monitoring Summary (OMS), Annual Programme Reports (APR). In addition, PMISC is mandated to manage the Swiss Grant to the Government of Nepal.

The project cost is 49.46 million Swiss Francs.

TA 9873-NEP: Preparing the Airport Capacity Enhancement Sector Development Program – Review of the Investment Component under the proposed Sector Development Program (38349-030)

Client:Asian Development Bank
Funding Agency: Asian Development Bank
Period: May to October 2020
Consulting Association: ADP Ingenierie, GEOCE Consultants (P) Ltd
Approx. Value of Services: Total US$ 622,747, GEOCE’s part- US$ 90,105
Professional Staff Input: International (ADPI-11) and National (GEOCE-14) person months.

Salient Details

The Government of Nepal has applied for a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Airport Capacity Enhancement Sector Development Program (SDP). The SDP will (i) support civil aviation sector reforms in restructuring the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) (the program component), and (ii) provide project financing for improvement of airport facilities at TIA and Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Lumbini (the investment component). The investment component includes (i) construction of hangar aprons for relocation of hangars to the eastern part of TIA, (ii) extension of parallel taxiway to runway end 02 at TIA and (iii) construction of a new international terminal building with a floor space of 35,000m2 at GBIA.

The scope of consultant’s services include:
⦁ Review of existing design of the proposed investment component at TIA, which comprises (i) construction of two hangar aprons (HA#1, HA#2, total area 98,100 m2 of PCC pavement and associated access taxiways (Taxiways ‘P’, ‘Q’ & ‘R’ – total area 29,000 m2 of asphalt concrete pavement) and (ii) extension of existing Parallel Taxiway – i.e. Taxiway ‘J’ from existing taxiway ‘E’ to runway end 02 ≈1140 m and exit taxiways, ‘K’ & ‘L’ – total area 77,100 m2 of asphalt concrete pavement).
⦁ Update of rate analysis and cost estimates of hangar aprons and Parallel Taxiway.
⦁ Review of bid documents and specifications of proposed contract packages of Hangar Aprons and Parallel Taxiway at TIA.
⦁ Update demand forecast of the current TIA master plan and GBIA with available airport-related and socio/economic data with due consideration of impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
⦁ Assess the current design, location, and possible implementation schedule of the international passenger terminal building (ITB) at TIA in terms of the reviewed masterplan, identify critical issues for its implementation, and propose necessary action plan for the project preparation and implementation.
⦁ Due diligence: (i) economic and financial analysis according to ADB’s Guidelines for the Economic Analysis of Projects; (ii) environmental and social safeguards as per ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS); and (iii) environmental, climate change, and social assessment of proposed investment components at TIA and GBIA.