By Abubakar Yunusa
As infrastructural development takes center, the World Bank, in collaboration, embarked on a 3-day workshop on Wednesday to build the capacity of staff for project implementation units (PIUs) of World Bank-funded projects in Nigeria and parts of West Africa.
The 3-day program focuses on contract management for the World Bank, aiming to equip the bank’s PIUs personnel with international contract management skills. Participants are drawn from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gambia.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the training in Abuja, the Managing Director of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN), Engr. Olufunmilayo Kadri, stated that the training would focus on ‘Contract Management of the FIDIC 2017 Red Book with highlights of its 1999 First Edition.’ It is designed to equip about forty staff members with essential skills.
According to her, infrastructure is a vital part of the development of any country, and we have been suffering from this for a while. FIDIC contract training will help the implementers of the projects that the World Bank is working on across Africa.
Engr. Kadri noted that this training would equip them to do quality and integrity work, which would go a long way in making the projects safe and sustainable.
She explained, “The World Bank is funding development projects across Nigeria and the West Africa region. This training is targeted at infrastructure projects because they usually involve high-value contracts.
“Within the West Africa region, the World Bank has about 355 ongoing contracts with a commitment of about $58 billion.
“If we can enhance the contract management capacity of those handling the projects, contracts would be more efficient and effective.
“We have deliberately targeted procurement officers, project engineers, contract managers, and all those who are working on different projects.”
This collaboration underscores the joint commitment of the World Bank and the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN) to enhance learning and development strategies, particularly within procurement and contract management, in the context of projects funded within the West Africa region.
“Collaborative initiatives like this will help strengthen procurement and contract management practices and foster sustainable infrastructure development.
“The partnership between the World Bank and ACEN highlights their shared vision to promote best practices and cultivate expertise among professionals engaged in international development projects across Nigeria and some parts of West Africa
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