USAID Approves Remaining Iraqi Work Under Bechtel.

Officials with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in conjunction with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) have approved the remaining specific reconstruction projects that will fall under the $680-million capital construction contract awarded in April to Bechtel National Inc., as of August 11, 2003. The work is based on recommendations Bechtel National Inc. made in June to USAID and CPA. Work orders approved so far for water and sanitation total $79 million. Work is progressing at the Safwan pump station in Iraq where the receiving reservoir is complete and an Iraqi contractor is installing pumps, says Bechtel National Inc. spokesman Howard N. Menaker. Officials also report progress in electricity generation. The CPA expects to connect Basra in Iraq with the main power grid by August 10 and hopes to guarantee power 24 hours a day for such strategic sites as hospitals, water and wastewater plants and oil installations.