Alexander & Lloyd Group

Despite new two storey classroom blocks being constructed on five of Tuvalu’s outer islands under the European Development Fund over the previous 10 years, ‘urban drift’ continued to drive population growth on Funafuti Atoll. Nauti Primary School was the largest on Funafuti Atoll and its enrolment of 800 students in 2015 was expected to increase to over 1,000 in 2017. Existing school buildings had deteriorated due to the severe marine environment and lack of maintenance and one building flooded regularly. Existing toilets were unhygienic and blockwork walls were severely cracked.

The Government of Tuvalu requested upgrading works under the Australian Aid Program but the Department of Education and the Public Works Department were too busy to prepare the detailed submission required to accompany the application. A&L was therefore engaged by DFAT to carry out an in-country mission to meet all stakeholders and prepare a detailed Project Proposal Document (ProDoc).

A&L visited Tuvalu to meet with stakeholders and carry out a feasibility study on the proposed upgrading of Nauti Primary School, including the costed analysis of the following implementation and funding strategies for donor consideration:-

• Traditional Design Consultancy & Construction Model procured through the local Contract Procurement Unit with DFAT funding channelled through the Tuvalu Development Fund and local systems;
• Traditional Design Consultancy & Construction Model where DFAT engages the International PM Team for design, documentation, tendering, contract formation and overall quality assurance. GoT engages a local Construction Contractor and manages contract administration and construction supervision. DFAT funds channelled through the Tuvalu Development Fund.
• Design and Construction Model where the International Managing Contractor is engaged directly by DFAT and is responsible for design, documentation, procurement, sourcing materials, engaging the building contractor, contract administration & construction supervision;
• Design, Build and Transfer Model through bilateral funding arrangements, where DFAT engages an International Managing Contractor to implement the project including procuring and employing an International Construction Contractor. The finished facility is handed to the GoT on completion;
• Co-Financing Model where GoT manages and funds design, documentation, tendering, contract administration and construction supervision whilst DFAT funds construction with funds warranted through the Tuvalu Development Fund.