The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) conducted a workshop via the Engineering and Planning Hub on the "Management of Engineering Contracts at Local Authorities" with the aim of exchanging experiences and expertise on supervision contracts and implementing projects administratively and technically. Workshop was attended by the Technical and Legal Support Unit Manager at APLA, Eng. Abdelmo'men Afanah, and the Engineering and Planning Hub Coordinator, Eng. Murad Al-Tamimi, in addition to 51 other participants from engineering and projects departments of local authorities.
TSU Manager, Eng. Afanah started the workshop welcoming all participants and speakers, clarifying the role of the Unit in providing support to local authorities through programs and activities that aim at enhancing the capacities of local authorities of all types, representing local authorities both local and internationally, and provide consultative services to its members in technical and legal matters in a way that enhances their capacities and powers, as well as maintaining its proper performance in legal matters.
Eng. Afanah pointed out that identifying work priorities and members' feedback are the main features distinguishing the Technical Hub program implemented by APLA in cooperation with LGRP-GIZ, as it enhances voluntary non-obligatory work with the aim of sharing best practices and joint challenges among all local authorities.
Director of the Local Economic Development (LED) Unit at Dura Municipality, Eng. Mariam Abu Atwan elaborated on engineering contracts, the duties of the engineering department in implementing the contracts, responsibility of the Head of Engineering Department in managing contracts, and the powers of the supervising Engineer. Additionally, she explained the line separating the role of the engineering department in contracts management and other departments at local authorities.
Eng. Marwah Abu Haikal from Hebron Municipality presented the regulating laws, terms and specifications for implementing engineering contracts, as well as the documents to be available prior to signing these contracts, pointing out the responsibility of the supervising Engineer in controlling the quality, cost, duration, safety and the environment.
Head of Engineering and Projects Department at West Bani Zeid Municipality, Eng. Saed Obaid, presented the experience of West Bani Zeid Cluster and the stages of its development through engaging the community and partners as well as organizing its work through MoUs. In addition, he presented the experience of the cluster in identifying joint priorities and strategic economic development goals, developing them into clear plans for attractive projects.
Meanwhile, Head of Projects Supervision Unit at Nablus Municipality, Eng. Samir Antar, presented a definition of works and services contracts and their elements. He also provided a presentation on Nablus Municipality experience in managing measurement contract tenders, starting with defining the standard document for tenders, all the way to technical specifications of the standard document, plans, and both public and private requirements.
It is worth mentioning that this workshop was conducted under the Technical Hubs Program, implemented in partnership between APLA and LGRP-GIZ, given that it includes five platforms: Engineering and Planning Hub, Financial Management Hub, Public Relations Hub, Village Councils Hub, and Innovation Hub.
