In 2009, five provinces in Lao PDR were selected as key sites for the Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Productivity Enhancement Project (SNRMPEP). This project aims to promote sustainable agriculture commercialization and natural resource management in the provinces of Savannakhet, Champasak, Salavanh, Sekong, and Attapeu, all provinces located in the southern Lao PDR. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Lao PDR.  SNRMPEP consists of 71 subprojects in the five provinces totaling to US$ 22.5 million.

As part of ADB’s on-going project procurement-related reviews (PPRR) of various ADB-financed projects, several sub-projects under the SNRMPEP covering construction and/or rehabilitation of water conveyance devices, irrigation canal and/or systems, rural access roads, earthen dams, and water pumps, were selected to undergo asset inspection and/or verification from March-June 2013. A PPRR is a review undertaken by ADB’s Office of Anticorruption and Integrity to confirm compliance with applicable ADB policies and guidelines.

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), through AIT Consulting was selected to assist in the asset verification of 15 irrigation canals located in two Lao PDR provinces, Savannakhet and Sekong. Dr. Naveed Anwar, Executive Director, AIT Consulting and head engineer for the project, travelled to Laos in early May 2013, to inspect the irrigation canals. The project is expected to be completed by end of May 2013 marked by the submission of a technical report.