Operations and Maintenance
PROTECTING THE INVESTMENT
The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) initiative that accompanies the Iraq Infrastructure Reconstruction (IIR) program protects $2.6 billion invested since 2003 in Iraqi infrastructure. In Iraq, USAID pairs investment in equipment and infrastructure with investment in human resources to prevent new and improved equipment from being misused or destroyed through neglect. As the newly constructed or renovated systems and facilities were turned over to the Iraqis, the workers were given fundamental training in O&M, laying the groundwork for sustainable investments.
O&M Training Tiers
Tier 1 - Five senior Ministry of Electricity staff members took executive management courses and leadership essentials courses at Georgia Tech
Tier 2 - 36 power plant senior managers took courses in electrical business development, leadership essentials, and advanced power plant management at Georgia Tech
Tier 3 - 83 power plant middle management members participated in courses in electrical business development, combustion power plant operations, thermal power plant operations, and 'Train-the- Trainers' instruction at the University of Jordan in Amman.
Tier 4 - 115 power plant operators and maintenance staff took courses in safety training, instrument calibration, plant system maintenance, optimum plant operations, distributive control systems, boiler chemistry, and water clarifier and filtration at the University of Jordan in Amman.
|
IIR has provided project-specific O&M training since the program began in 2003, teaching Iraqis the fundamental O&M for constructed facilities, equipment and systems.
TRAINING ACTIVITIES
USAID implemented a power sector O&M program that consisted of performing facility condition assessments, training including on-the-job training (OJT)- coaching, mentoring, providing maintenance and plant outage support, and furnishing test equipment, special tools, permanent plant equipment, materials, services and parts for use in support of the electrical generation facilities in Iraq.
As part of this project, USAID provided approximately 60,000 hours of O&M technical and management training for 239 ME staff that were divided into tiers corresponding to their management level.
In the water and sanitation sector, USAID's O&M program entailed onsite O&M training and management as well as the direct purchase of consumables (e.g., chlorine and diesel fuel).
Although O&M training took place on a particularly large scale for power, water, and sanitation plants, it also provided for a range of other facilities. Training has benefited airport firefighters receiving new fire equipment, stevedores and customs officials at Umm Qasr seaport, and workers at Baghdad International Airport.
Back to Top ^
|
