McDermott Finishes Implements New Social Project in Azerbaijan

On the eve of the new school year, McDermott Caspian Contractors, Inc. (McDermott), a subsidiary of J. Ray McDermott, S. A. (J. Ray), finished the repair and installation of new roofs at two secondary schools in the Primorsk settlement of the Garadagh district. More than 3,200 children, 410 of whom are the children of McDermott's employees, attend these schools that were built in the early 1970s and are the largest educational institutions in the district, Trend reports.

Amounting to nearly $140,000, it is one of the largest community projects J. Ray has ever performed worldwide, commented Dan Houser, Vice President and General Manager, Caspian Operations. To date, McDermott has contributed nearly $340,000 to charity projects in Azerbaijan, and I am very pleased to report that almost half of these funds have been used to address the social needs of the Garadagh district, where the company operates. Many of our employees live in Sahil, and we are pleased to be able to support both their needs and the needs of the local community.

In response to the Garadagh district authorities' request, McDermott provided sponsorship for the repairs and hired a local subcontractor, CRC #11, to renovate the 5,000 sq.m. roof. New corner roofs were also installed with reinforced concrete borders providing a safety barrier for future roof maintenance.

The programs supported by McDermott include, among others, water supply to a 1,400-person settlement for Internally Displaced Persons in the Sheki region; sports programs for handicapped children at the Boarding House in Mardakan; food distribution to the elderly living alone in the Garadagh district; and the sponsorship of New Year and Novruz Bayram celebrations for institutionalized and poor children.