Uzbekistan, Tashkent, March 25 / Trend D.Azizov /
The World Bank (WB) has confirmed that its participation in the construction of the Rogun hydropower plant will depend on the technical, environmental and social viability of the project, WB Vice President for Europe and Central Asia Philippe Le Houérou said in a statement to the Uzbek government published in the Pravda Vostoka newspaper today.
The message says that the bank will send April 20-27 a senior technical mission to Tajikistan for further monitoring and evaluation of the work on the Rogun site. The mission will consist of highly qualified experts and senior specialists.
Moreover, Houérou and Stephen Lintner, WB advisor on institutional protection mechanisms, are expected to visit all countries located in trans-boundary river basins in April and discuss the participation of independent international experts in the research.
Techno-economic, environmental and social assessment would thoroughly evaluate the technical viability, the environmental and social risks and benefits of the proposed project. Research will be conducted in accordance with all the special safeguard mechanisms and regulations of the WB.
In September and December 2009, the bank's team visited the site. Then continuous construction work aimed to the restoration of the structures, underground works and rehabilitation of access roads, severely damaged by floods in 1993 and subjected to further destruction later.
"The seriousness of the issue of strict compliance and consistency between the schedule of construction work and techno-economic, environmental and social expertise was brought to the Tajik government, especially regarding the construction of the dam bridged. The bank has reached a clear understanding with the Tajik authorities, and they have accepted the obligations that the future construction work beyond recovery should be based on the results of the above expertise," the message says.
Future construction work will be checked and the results of the examination will be incorporated in technical projects and at every step of the construction.
The Tajik government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that the examination results are reviewed by independent international experts. In addition, the Tajik government agreed with the bank's proposal to hire construction professionals selected on the basis of technical specifications and qualifications acceptable to WB, who will oversee the construction and provide an independent assessment of its quality, the message says.
"We remain committed to listen and respond to the demands of Uzbekistan and all Central Asian countries, especially in providing objective, impartial and consistent information and advice. The bank's decision for funding and any future participation in the project will depend on the assessment results," the message says.
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