The Public Works Project launched last week the training program on occupational health and safety, social and environmental requirements, mechanism for community contracting, monitoring and follow-up using mobile phones, promotion of women participation within the Social Protection Project, and COVID-19.

The training program is funded by the World Bank in partnership with UNDP and would be organized in various governorates of the country with the participation of about 380 contractors, engineers, and consultant engineers.

During the inauguration ceremony of the program, PWP’s director, Eng. Saeed Abdo Ahmed emphasized the need for compliance with social and environmental requirements and terms and conditions for occupational health and safety considering that these have become key requirements by donors and one of the essential conditions to mobilize funding.

He confirmed that if contractors and engineers do not comply with these measures, it could mean Yemen would be deprived of foreign fundings for infrastructure projects closely linked to people’s lives.

The PWP’s director pointed out that the PMU will not hesitate to take legal action against any contractor or engineer found not in compliance with these requirements.

Eng. Saeed Abdo Ahmed also pointed out that PWP is keen to develop partnerships with contractors and engineers to achieve the public good. He noted that the purpose for organizing these trainings is to build up the qualifications of the Yemeni contracting sector to a level where it can meet international standards and requirements.

The program which will continue until the end of the week includes details presentations by PWP managers and specialists on environmental and social considerations, occupational health and safety requirement, monitoring and follow up using mobile phones, as well as contractors and supervising engineers’ responsibilities during projects implementation.