DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF MARTAKERT WAS LAUNCHED
Azat Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
01 July 2006
The regional development programme of Martakert, which has already
been launched by Armenia Foundation, is a novelty for the foundation,
since it involves simultaneous reconstruction and development of
different spheres, reports the department of public relations of
Armenia Foundation. If formerly the foundation used to implement
large-scale programmes in one sphere, now the foundation invests in
all the spheres, which are of vital importance for the population,
allowing a general development of the region. Tenders for strategic
projects are held by the commission of the foundation, including the
executive board of the foundation, the director of the Armenian Relief
Society in Armenia, the director of the Yerevan office of the Armenian
Assembly of America, a representative of the NKR government. This year
the representative of the NKR president was included as well. The 4.865
km section between Drmbon and Martakert of North-South Highway will
be put out to tender on July 5. Two companies, Karavan and Virage
had submitted applications for the prequalification test. Karavan
passed the prequalification. The first tender held on June 29 was
suspended, since the tender sums were too big. The construction of
the drinking water pipeline will also be put to tender. The building
owner is the NKR government. The project costs 40 million drams,
and is funded by Armenia Foundation. On May 23 the foundation held a
prequalification test. Out of four companies, Dorozhnik, Sphinx, Sokol
Group, Virage, Dorozhnik and Virage passed the prequalification test
and will offer tender sums on July 4. Besides, the foundation will
put out to tender the drinking water supply systems in the villages
of Varnkatagh, Magavuz, Mets Shen, Vaghuhas, as well as the bridge
on the Kichan-Drmbon section of North-South. The project of gas
pipeline in the villages of Chldran and Aradjadzor was worked out
by Artsakhgas. The planning and conceptual design of the regional
hospital of Martakert was carried out by the American specialists
of the Armenia Foundation in Los Angeles. The conceptual design was
presented to the NKR Ministry of Health. In 2005 the building of
the school in the village of Mataghis began, funded by the Toronto
branch of the foundation. The school will admit 120 children. Now
the foundation has put out to tender the building of the school in
the village of Kochoghot. The Toronto body of the foundation will
also finance the construction of a school in Verin Horatagh. The
agricultural development programme of Martakert requires immense
efforts, therefore its implementation is controlled by the commission,
including the executive director of the foundation, the NKR minister
of agriculture, the representative of Turnaround Associates, a United
States NGO, which worked out the programme. The foundation is going
to sign an agreement with the NKR government on this programme. In
accordance with the contract, the programme will be implemented by
the NKR Agriculture Support Fund, which will set up a CJSC and an
NGO in the framework of the programme. The contract will include
the bylaws of the CJSC and the NGO, which were drawn up by a top
lawyer. Armenia Foundation will buy agricultural machinery, which
will be leased by the CJSC to farmers for lower prices. The first
consignment of agricultural machines (tractors, trucks, etc) will be
delivered to Martakert in August. Besides, over 3 years the foundation
will pay the salaries of the staff and cover other expenses of the
CJSC. Afterwards the CJSC will be transformed into an independent
profit organization. The NKR Ministry of Agriculture is the only
shareholder of the CJSC but within five years the farmers will buy the
shares, and as shareholders, the agricultural machinery will become
their property. The farmers will be allowed to use the agricultural
machines on becoming member of the NGO. The interests of the members
of the NGO will be taken into account and protected, and membership
to the NGO will allow participating in decision making and controlling
the work, states the department of public relations of Armenia Fund.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
