Search Results

1-1 of 1 results for subject:Insurance

Show detailed: On Off

Results: 10 20 50 100

Sort by: Newest first Oldest first

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, for what reason the external independent quality assurance and quality control audits relating to the Chad Cameroon project have been circumvented; if he will make a statement on environmental protection measures relating to the Chad-Cameroon pipeline project; if he will make...

Asked by

John Bercow (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

13 January 2004

For answer on

20 January 2004

Answered on

20 January 2004

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) for what reason the external independent quality assurance and quality control audits relating to the Chad/Cameroon project have been circumvented; [148521] (2) if he will make a statement on environmental protection measures relating to the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project; [148714] (3) if he will make a statement on the standard of fiscal accountability and transparency measures since the commissioning of the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project; [148715] (4) for what reason quality assurance and quality control audits of the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project have not been conducted by the World Bank; [148522] (5) for what reason internal audits of the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project have not been conducted; [148523] (6) for what reason bills of quantities in relation to the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project have been approved in the absence of packages for quality assurance and quality control; [148716] (7) for what reason work on the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project continued without procedures for quality assurance and quality control; [148524] (8) for what reason the project design change orders on the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project were negotiated and approved without plans for quality assurance and quality control; [148525] (9) what assessment has been made by international aid agencies of the adequacy of compliance with quality assurance and quality control in relation to the Chad/ Cameroon pipeline project; [148526] (10) for what reason the World Bank has employed contractors who are not fully I.S.O. 9000 series accredited; [148527] (11) whether project completion certificates for the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project have been approved; [148700] (12) if he will make a statement on levels of insurance cover relating to the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project; [148713] (13) for what reason bills of quantities for the Chad/ Cameroon pipeline project have been approved without packages for front end engineering design. [148717] Hilary Benn: DFID is not directly involved in funding or implementing this project. DFID therefore does not have first-hand information on detailed implementation issues concerning quality assurance and control audits, internal audits, quality assurance and quality control, project design change orders, accreditation of contractors, project completion certificates, levels of insurance, fiscal accountability and transparency measures, and bills of quantities. However, DFID is confident that the World Bank's systems for the monitoring and implementation of this project, and for the investigation of any warranted complaints are appropriate. Since the project was approved in June 2000, exceptional resources have been allocated by the Bank and the International Finance Corporation, to monitor and support the project's implementation against Internationally agreed standards. This includes the establishment of the Independent Inspection Panel (IIP) and the External Compliance Monitoring Group (ECMG). In relation to the quality of auditing and fiscal accountability, Bank policy identifies two sets of appropriate auditing standards: the International Standards on Auditing published by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Auditing Standards published by the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions. Project arrangements provide for regular audits of the Chad/Cameroon pipeline projects accounts, plus independent opinions from the International Advisory Group (IAG) and the External Compliance and Monitoring Group (ECMG), which carries out regular independent supervisions of the technical and environmental aspects of the project, and from the Inspection Panel which may investigate complaints from people who believe they have been negatively affected by a World Bank project. The Chad/Cameroon pipeline is subject to a number of monitoring and supervision controls to ensure quality control, application of environmental regulations, design and implementation adhere to International rules and regulations. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has strict requirements and specifications, and compliance with these by all parties is spelled out in legally binding agreements. Strong remedies are provided in legal agreements with all parties in case they fail to comply with this obligation. The EMP represents an extensive analysis of the potential environmental and social impacts of the project. The World Bank are being advised by the ECMG in monitoring the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan, and by an International Advisory Group on broader implementation issues, including those that need to be addressed to achieve the project's developmental objectives. Both the ECMG and IAG make regular site visits. These third party reviews supplement the Bank's own monitoring and supervision of the project which includes site visits, internal reporting and continual discussions with the project sponsors. The above measures are additional to on-going monitoring by the Consortium and by the Governments of Chad and Cameroon. The Consortium provide quarterly reports which are publicly available. DFID's interest is as a member of the Executive Board of the World Bank. We do and will continue to take our role on the Executive Board seriously, ensuring that issues identified by the Independent Inspection Panel and External Compliance Monitoring Group are raised, monitored and rectified. The investigation reports mentioned are available in the public domain and can be found on http:// www.worldbank.org/afr/ccproi/index.htm.

Date

20 January 2004

Reference

416 c1138-9W; 148521;148714;148715;148522;148523;148716;148524;148525;148526;148527;148700;148713;148717

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher