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Background
The Jordan
Rift Valley has been transformed over the last 30 years as a result of
substantial investments in water resources development, economic and
social infrastructure and the expansion of irrigated agriculture. Its
population has grown from 70,000 in 1973 to 220,000 today thus
successfully reducing the urban migration phenomena. Social and economic
development has dramatically improved living conditions. The Jordan
Valley Authority has been responsible for the development of water
resources and infrastructure, land-use and operation and maintenance of
the irrigation systems.
However,
there are, constraints to maximize the potential of the Valley. There is
room for improvement in water management, both in conveyance and in
on-farm delivery. Environmentally, sustainable management is increasingly
difficult due to soil and water quality as the use of treated wastewater
increases, farm management and crop choice, and pest control. There is a
need for better environmental monitoring and thorough environmental impact
assessment in the design stage of new investments. Marketing and export of
products is key,
as markets have proved volatile in recent years. There is a need for
broader land use management, zoning, and regulation as tourism and
commerce expand. The establishment and management of recreation and
nature conservation areas will be vital to the sustainability of tourism
in the area. The legislation governing the responsibilities of the JVA
date from 1977 and are increasingly becoming less appropriate. There is
room for improving the efficiency of JVA through institutional and
regulatory reform, privatization
of certain activities and promotion of beneficiary participation. The
present land ownership regulations may no longer be appropriate for a
modernizing economy led by the private sector. The economic role of the
area is changing as the peace process opens new markets and communication
channels create new investment opportunities.
The
Government of Jordan is concerned that the Valley must continue to play a
vital role in the development of the country, and has requested assistance
with a reassessment of the Jordan Rift Valley, followed by support for
investments and institutional reforms which would support sustainable
growth and improved efficiency.
Objectives
The overall
objective of the study is to carry out a full preparation of the
Jordan
Valley
improvement project to be financed by the World Bank and (as well as by
other donors) with means and actions needed for maximization of economic
and social returns from a sustained development of the Jordan Rift Valley.
An
appraisal would be undertaken of previous development since the 1950s,
followed by a diagnosis of the principal technical, environmental,
economic, social, legislative and institutional constraints to further
development. The effect of these on farmers (whose views would be sought
during the study), on the broader valley population, on activities within
and outside agriculture in the Valley, on the Government and the Jordan
Valley Authority would be analyzed, and
a action-plan will be developed
to remove these constraints. The work would draw extensively on other
recent studies. The project to be prepared would comprise investments
accompanied by institutional reforms necessary to implement the priority
action-plans identified. Project components are likely to include but not
limited to:
·
Restructuring of JVA.
·
Water
Resources Management including O&M improvements.
·
Land Use
planning
·
Agricultural development.
·
Promotion
of touristic and other economic activities
·
Environnemental management.
·
Social
aspect.
Project
Description
The
preparation study will be carried out in 2 phases (A&B).
Phase A:
will concentrate on review of the studies and reports prepared for the
development of the Jordan Rift Valley, the appraisal of the achievements
and diagnosis of constraints to achieve further sustainable development of
the
Jordan.
Based on this review and analysis, the study team should present
alternative strategies and actions to solve the existing constraints and
promote sustainable development in the Jordan Valley. Through a
discussion with
(JVA) and in consultation with the World Bank the
best set of the feasible alternative will be selected, and based on
these, a
full project concept document (PCD) will be prepared identifying all main
aspects of the proposed projects.
This should
follow World Bank guidelines and should include a detailed project
preparation plan with corresponding timetable and TOR for different
aspects of the project(s). Based on the project identified, the study
team would also prepare the detailed TOR for phase B (for whole study and
for each individual consultant needed), as well as the timetable and an
estimated budget.
Phase
B:
will
consist of full preparation of the project(s)to be presented to the World
Bank or other donors for financing according to the results of phase A.
this process
would follow the guidelines of the World Bank and include all elements of
a project appraisal document (PAD) assessment stated above the detailed
TOR of this phase will be determined at the end of phase A.
The
services of the consultants for which an announcement will be published
are only for phase A of the study.
Project
Status
The
technical proposals (CV’s) of international and local individual
consultants were evaluated. 10 experts were chosen according to their
qualifications, the financial proposals of those are under studying.
The
expected date of commencement of preparation study is Sept. 2000. The
JD39.2 million during the investment program period is to be financed by
WB, HKJ, other.
Estimated
Cost
The total
projected cost for the projects identified in the feasibility study are
estimated at
JD39.2
million.
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