ITT Director, Dick Komakech, has been leading the implementation of several infrastructure measures under the Serengeti Ecosystem Development and Conservation Project (SEDCP) in Tanzania, working in partnership with the lead firm, CDM Smith Europe GmbH.

As Chief Technical Adviser, Dick’s overall responsibility is the provision of consulting services during the various stages from planning, design, tender documentation, procurement and construction supervision. This also includes building the capacity of key stakeholders to sustainably maintain and operate the infrastructure with support from the implementing partner, Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), and the funding agency, KfW.

The key objective is to adequately utilise the social and economic infrastructure provided as well as sustainable management and conservation of natural resources in Serengeti National Park and adjacent Serengeti and Ngorongoro Districts.

Specific tasks include but not limited to the following:

• Assistance to TANAPA –  Overall project management and coordination including administrative and logistical support to the Project Management Team comprising of TANAPA and Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).
• Planning and design of specific infrastructure measures: Road rehabilitation; health and education buildings and associated facilities; Water sources (dams & boreholes); and Serengeti Visitor Centre.
• Integration of the ESMF into the overall internal management procedures and routines of TANAPA’s internal quality management system
• Design of training programmes and delivery to implementing partners on procurement, ESHS, contract management, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.
• Preparation of tender documents, implementation of tender processes and contracting (Procurement)
• Monitoring project implementation of all the infrastructure measures including planning and execution of site inspections
• Contract management including construction supervision, quantity surveys and quality control
• Financial Management of the Disposition fund and the simplified direct disbursement procedure
• Monitoring during Defects Liability Period and Final Inspection Mission

The tasks are geared to achieve the following four main outputs within the next 3 years:

• Sustainable natural resource management in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Districts is strengthened.
• Access to markets and services through the rehabilitation of the feeder road network is improved.
• Social and economic rural infrastructure related to Serengeti National Park conservation (investment and maintenance) is improved.
• Protected area management and infrastructure is improved.

Through these initiatives, the long-term future of the parks as both habitats for flora and fauna, and important destinations for tourism, will be sustainably conserved.