Iraqi Minister calls global companies to compete on the execution of Bakhma Dam 22.9.2005

Rasheed announced that through this project Iraq "hopes to supply with 1500 megawatts". He referred to the many positive results of Bakhma Dam on the level of the agricultural sector, as it would be reflected on the increase of the agricultural area through supplying with the water quota for 565 hectares. This would participate in developing and improving the region, in addition to the increase of the income of its residents, as the water storage capacity of the dam reaches 14.4 billion m3, which can be controlled as needed."

Rasheed disclosed the intention of his ministry "to execute this strategic project." He referred to the preparations for signing a contract with a global consultation company for updating the documents of contracts, taking the formerly accomplished works and the current global technological development in the field of establishing dams into consideration, in addition to considering Turkey's program for establishing dams and submitting a study for evaluating the environmental effects of the dam and the suggested storage. This project is hoped to be accomplished during the third quarter of this year.

The Iraqi minister called the giant construction and equipment manufacture companies to "participate in the execution of the huge project, whose cost is expected to exceed $2 billion, whether these companies were from donor countries or others. These companies can form a federation that enables them to enter the competition for executing the project."

Rasheed referred to "the possibility of having discussions with the World Bank and the international lending institutions, to participate fully or partially in the project through offering loans." He did not rule out the possibility of negotiation for executing the project upon the BOT method.

It is worth mentioning that the first design of the project of Bakhma Dam has been set by the American Harza Engineering Company in 1953. Then the biological surveys and designs have been updated on behalf of the Japanese EPDC company in 1979. The execution of works has been committed to the union of Turkey's Anka and Yugoslavia's Hydrocradinia. The contract was signed in 1986. The hydroelectric works were committed to Yugoslavia's Inkra Company.

The total cost of the works was 1.75 billion dollars. The works of telecommunications equipments and computers were not contracted. The works of the project have stopped in 1991 due to Gulf War II and the consequent economic sanctions. 34% of the project was executed.

Al Hayat

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