Tuesday, 3 February 2009
The Governing Council of Millenium Challenge Account-Armenia SNCO met in the Office of Government, presided at by GC Chairman, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan. US Ambassador to Armenia Mary Yovanovich attended the meeting as observer.
The Council discussed and approved the MCA-Armenia program audit plan, the report on the targets set for the second stage of the loan sub-component of the From-Water-to-Market activity of the Irrigated Agriculture project, the administrative policy guidelines and the rules of procedure applicable under the loan program, as well as other issues of topical interest.
Concerning the above audit plan, MCA-Armenia SNCO General Executive Director Ara Hovsepyan noted that the document specifies those requirements which as available make it necessary for any MCC-supported organization to undergo an arms-length auditing operation. MCA-Armenia has so far been subjected to a single financial audit covering the period from October 2006 to December 2008. The above-said audit plan will make it possible to continue with the audit until the closure of the program.
With reference to the following agenda item, Ara Hovsepyan informed that in line with the assignment given at the December 10, 2008 session of MCA-Armenia SNCO Governing Council, the feasibility of a second stage for the loan sub-component of the From-Water-to-Market activity of the Irrigated Agriculture project has been studied. As a result, the administrative policy guidelines and the rules of procedure applicable under the loan program have been revised implying a special focus for the program, which means that borrowed funds will be used to achieve the targets set for the From-Water-to-Market activity.
Then, the Council discussed and approved the draft contract on technical monitoring under the Infrastructure activity of the Irrigated Agriculture project, the draft contract on consulting services under the Ararat Valley Drainage System Rehabilitation Design, as well as the amendments to the procurement plan which was endorsed at the December 10 session of the Governing Council.
Next, the council members were provided information on the engineering works carried out under the Rural Road Rehabilitation Project stating that Armavir-Isahakyan-Gyumri motorway’s two road sections with an aggregate length of 24.48 kilometers have already been completed. Project contractor Dorozhnik Ltd was said to have managed a 10 days’ advance on the deadline of December 15, 2008 with an economy of about AMD 48.5 million.
