Urban Services Improvement Investment Program - Tranche 1

Lack of project readiness can seriously deter project implementation. The project completion review of tranche 1 indicates that the project was not ready for financing. During preparation of the project, the towns of Marneuli and Zugdidi were replaced by Kutaisi, Poti, and Ureki because of changing government priorities and the planned development of a seaside resort at Ureki. This necessitated a major change in scope that delayed project startup. Additional time was also needed for capacity building and to increase awareness of the project among the IA staff. Furthermore, a project management unit had to be established at the initial stage of the project implementation.