OPRC specialisation gains momentum at Mariswe

Mariswe’s leadership role in output and performance-based road contracts (OPRC) on the African continent is being cemented by three projects currently under way in Rwanda and Zambia. This follows successful assignments in Ghana and Lesotho.

Mariswe is a South Africabased company offering project management, infrastructure planning and civil engineering services, as well as life-cycle management for strategic projects. As the company adds to its portfolio of OPRC projects, its skills in both pre-construction

studies and construction monitoring position it as an OPRC specialist.

The OPRC methodology places the responsibility for the detail design and construction of the road works – as well as the ongoing road maintenance for a certain period – with the contractor. OPRC projects allow roads authorities to provide efficient road services, and other related infrastructure, to communities by expanding the role of the contractor. Ultimately, this contract delivers better roads for more people for longer durations.

Blinding concrete prior to construction of a cast-in-situ concrete drainage culvert in Rwanda

Drainage infrastructure in Rwanda Work in progress on the Zambian project

Rwanda road infrastructure before and after

Rwanda

Mariswe started work in 2019 on the design review and construction monitoring of two OPRC projects in Rwanda awarded by the Rwanda Transport Development Agency and funded by the World Bank. They involve the upgrade and improvement of two feeder road packages, each covering three districts in different parts of the country and totalling about 450 km.

Mariswe is monitoring a total of 16 construction lots, working in joint venture with Rwandan consultancy Astrik International. The construction monitoring team includes engineers from South Africa, Zambia, Cameroon, Tanzania and Malawi. Mariswe’s brief includes training and knowledge transfer to the client and other local stakeholders based on the firm’s strong experience in OPRC projects.

Recently completed assignments in Ghana and Lesotho involved assessment studies, concept design and bidding documents, while the Rwanda projects involve monitoring during the construction and maintenance phases. This reinforces Mariswe’s capabilities across the whole life cycle of the OPRC methodology.

Zambia

A further recent award involves OPRC construction monitoring and design review of about 325 km of rural roads in the Eastern Province of Zambia for the Road Development Agency (Zambia). Mariswe is working in joint venture with AlliOne Consulting Engineers of Zambia. The appointment ends in May 2025.

Before

After