The Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Atar – Tidjikja Road
Loan No: 509 Interest Rate: 3 %
Beneficiary: Ministry of Equipment & Transport Grace Period: 5 years
Project Cost: KD 28.9 million Maturity: 25 years
Amount of Loan: KD 11.0 million Repayment: 41 semi-annual installments
Date of Board Approval: - First Installment: 5 years following the first disbursement
Date of Loan Agreement: 2007-03-17 Date of Loan Effectiveness: 2007-05-26


Objectives:

The project aims at supporting the economic and social development in Mauritania through upgrading the national road network and securing an internal corridor to improve communication between the cities of Atar and Tidjikja. The project also aims at linking the national network with the neighboring networks. The project will contribute towards the development of the region through which it passes and provide the necessary services to its inhabitants.

Description:

The project, which is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2011, consists of  a 2-lane two-way single carriageway with 3.5 m lane width and 1.5 m shoulder width. The total length of the road connecting the cities of Atar and Tidjikja is about 340 km long, in addition to about 30 km of service roads leading to the neighboring villages. The main components of the project may be summarized as follows:

  1. Civil Works: This component consists of the civil and structural works required for the construction of the different sections of the road. The works include earthwork (cut and fill), preparing the sub-grade and subsequent pavement layers, constructing water culverts, side drainage structure and ancillary works needed for proper traffic movement, in addition to protection of road from sand.
  2. Consultancy Services: This component comprises the consultancy services required for the study and design of the project, the preparation of tender documents, the analysis of submitted bids, the supervision of the execution of the project and any revisions to the project documents if needed.
  3. Supporting Maintenance Works: This includes the provision of some equipment and spare parts necessary for road maintenance, in addition to the institutional support required for these works.
  4. Institutional Support: This includes the acquisition of equipment required to enable the Ministry of Equipment and Transport to follow up and administer the project, as well as providing necessary training of employees.

Financing:

The Arab Fund’s loan covers about 38.1% of the total cost of the project. The Kuwait Fund will provide a loan of about KD 5.7 million (about 19.7% of the total cost), the Islamic Development Bank will provide a loan of about KD 4.1 million (about 14.2% of the total cost), and the Saudi Fund will provide a loan of about KD 5.7 million (about 19.7% of the total cost). The Government of Mauritania will cover the remaining cost of the project and any additional cost that might arise during implementation.