No: SAG-SC011-L-RD-CN-QA-929

To
Subrata Bandyopadhyay
Afcons House, 16, Shah Industrials
Estate
Veera Desai Road Azad Nagar P.O.
Box No. 11978
Andheri (W) Mumbai – 400 053
Republic of India
Email: subrata.b@afcons.com

Copy to
Mr. Sujith Kumar Jha
Project Manager
Project Site office: Akame Ngue
Meyang, PK 50 (RHS), Ntoum
Gabon

Libreville, on 4th August 2021

Subject: Non-compliance of the Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer
(Laterite Blended with sand) with the provisions of the EPC Contract
applicable to the Engineering Studies and Procurement and other deficiencies
identified requiring immediate course of action

Reference: AIL-SAG-L-5267-00263

Dear Sirs,

1 Introduction
1.1 Reference is made to:

(i) the EPC contract relating to the Permanent Anticipated Works between KP 24 to KP
105 of the Transgabonaise national road located in the Republic of Gabon dated as
amended and restated on 6 November 2020 and amended by Amendment n°1
dated 22 January 2021 (the “EPC Contract”);

(ii) the letter dated 14 July 2021 with reference AIL-SAG-L-5267-00263 whereby the
Contractor submit to the Employer the Method Statement for Earth works Capping
layer (Laterite Blended with sand).

(iii) Unless otherwise specified herein, terms used in this letter shall have the same
meaning as the one ascribed to them in the EPC Contract.

1
2 Provisions of the EPC Contract
2.1 Clause 3.2.3(vi) of the EPC Contract provides that the Employer’s Consultants shall notably
review and provide comments on the Engineering Studies produced by the Contractor.

2.2 Clause 5.2.4 of the EPC Contract provides that, in case of comments made by the Employer
on the Contractor’s Documents, the Contractor shall thereafter provide the revised
Contractor’s Documents within (15) days following the communication made by the
Employer.

2.3 Clause 5.2.5 of the EPC Contract provides that within twenty-one (21) days from receipt of
any Contractor’s Document, the Grantor and the Independent Engineer may notify the
Employer, who shall promptly forward them to the Contractor, of their comments on such
documents relating to non-compliance with any provision of the Concession Agreement.
Either of them may also make any reasonable request for additional time for examination,
which may not exceed ten (10) additional days. The Contractor shall revise the Contractor’s
Documents to take into account the comments of the Independent Engineer and/or the
Grantor. In the absence of comments from the Independent Engineer and/or the Grantor
within the time period referred to above, they shall be deemed to have no objection to the
Contractor’s Documents, without prejudice to the Contractor's liability for the performance of
the Works.

3 Comments from the Employer and the Independent Engineer on the Method
Statement for Earth works Capping layer (Laterite Blended with sand)
3.1 In accordance with the abovementioned provisions of the EPC Contract, the Employer and
Employer’s Consultants have reviewed the Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer
(Laterite Blended with sand) submitted by the Contractor and have provided their comments
thereon, which are appended as Schedule 1 to this letter. From a general perspective, we
take from such review that the contents of the document are incomplete and are not
compliant with the provisions of the EPC Contract.

3.2 In accordance with the abovementioned provisions of the EPC Contract, the Employer also
hereby submits to the Contractors the review sheet provided by the Independent Engineer
relating to the Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer (Laterite Blended with sand)
which are included in Schedule 2 to this letter. Considering the delay incurred in the
transmission of the Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer by the Contractor,
(which occurs after (i) the end of the Engineering Studies – Detailed Design period related
to Segment 4 as per the Contract Programme, (ii) the realization of the trial section by the
Contractor and (iii) the start of its on-site application by the Contractor, in particular on the
shoulders of the road), the review of the Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer
has been carried out simultaneously by the Employer and by the Independent Engineer and
is provided to the Contractor as schedule to this letter.

2
4 Non-compliance with the provisions of the EPC Contract
4.1 Non-compliance with the provisions of the EPC Contract pointed out by the Employer.

Comments made by the Employer under paragraph 3.1 above and Schedule 1 to this letter
on the Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer provided by the Contractor qualify
overall as major comments from the Employer, as further referred to as class 3 comments
in paragraph 1.8.4 of schedule 2 (Employer’s Requirements) of the EPC Contract.

4.2 Non-compliance with the provisions of the EPC Contract pointed out by the
Independent Engineer.

In addition, the Employer points out that the Method Statement for Earth works Capping
layer provided by the Contractor leads to comments from the Independent Engineer.

4.3 Furthermore, given the nature of (i) of the delay in the transmission of the Method Statement
for Earth works Capping layer by the Contractor (as per paragraph 3.2 above) and (ii) the
defaults identified, we consider that:

4.3.1 abovementioned breaches in relation to the Engineering Studies – Detailed Design

and Procurement for Segments 4, evidence a clear failure from the Contractor;

4.3.2 the Contractor Independent Control Officer has substantially failed to carry out its
missions, this despite the fact that the Employer has explicitly requested the
Contractor to strengthen its proposals relating to the Contractor Independent Control
Officer in the Notice to Proceed (Detailed Design) and Notice to Proceed (Other
Works) respectively issued by the Employer on 22 January 2021 and 22 March 2021
and countersigned by the Contractor.

5 Remediation measures
5.1 In accordance with clause 5.2.4 and paragraph 1.8.4 of schedule 2 (Employer’s
Requirements) of the EPC Contract, the Contractor shall make appropriate corrections
addressing the Employer’s comments within 15 days following the date of receipt of this
letter.

5.2 The Contractor shall also, as soon as possible, implement all necessary measures to:

5.2.1 Provide to the Employer the Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer within
the Engineering Studies – Detailed Design period of time (as per the Contract
Programme) and prior to any trial section and on-site application as per Contractual
Requirements;

5.2.2 correct the deficiencies relating to the Contractor Independent Control Officer
referred to in Paragraph 4.3 above.

5.2.3 It is reminded that any corrective works that may be necessary as a result of such
deficiencies shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor and shall not entitle the
Contractor to any additional costs or extra-time to complete the Works.

3
For the avoidance of doubt, this letter shall not act as a waiver of any rights of the Employer under
the EPC Contract. The rights and remedies provided to the Employer under the EPC Contract and
otherwise are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law and may be
waived only in writing and specifically.

Yours sincerely,

For Société Autoroutière du Gabon

Selim Bejaoui

Chief Executive Officer

4
 Schedule 1
Employer and Employer’s Consultants Review Sheet
(in French and in English)

5
 Schedule 2
Independent Engineer Review Sheet
(in French only)

6
 MANDANTS INGENIEUR
INDEPENDANT
REPUBLIQUE GABONAISE
MINISTERE DES TRAVAUX
PUBLICS, DE L'EQUIPEMENT ET
DES INFRASTRUCTURES
SOCIETE AUTOROUTIERE DU
GABON (SAG)

CONTRAT DE PARTENARIAT RELATIF A L'AMENAGEMENT, AU FINANCEMENT, A

L'EXPLOITATION ET A LA MAINTENANCE DE LA ROUTE ECONOMIQUE DITE
TRANSGABONAISE

FICHE DE REVUE N°029

Référence de transmission : E-mail du 16/07/2021

Ouvrage : Chaussée Contrat N° : A42035683

Produite par : AFCONS

Documents
Observés Titre : voir liste ci-dessous Emission :
Réception : 16/07/2021

Réponse : 04/08/2021
Etabli par : M.BEN AYED Vérifié par : M.BEN AMOR Approuvé par : M BEN AMOR
LISTE DES DOCUMENTS TRANSMIS
 Réhabilitation & Aménagement en 2 voies de de la route national RN-1 entre le PK24+000 et le
PK105+000 (81 Km) - APD (PK50-PK61.3)

Earth Work Capping layer (laterit blended with sand)

OBSERVATIONS

Désignation
N°
paragraphe, Commentaires/Remarques/Recommandations
chapitre, plan,
page, …

• Le Constructeur propose de faire un mélange de sable et de

graveleux pour diminuer la plasticité des matériaux. Cette solution en
son principe est acceptable. Cependant, elle ne figure pas dans le
Contrat. Des matériaux de type GNT « crushed stone » seront
privilégiés dans ce cas et ce conformément aux spécifications requises
par l’Employeur Partie III 02 : spécifications de performances -clause
5.1.4
• Il convient de s’assurer que les matériaux sont disponibles en
quantité et qualité suffisante avec les besoins du projet.
• Présenter la fiche technique de l’atelier de compactage utilisé.
1
En conclusion, la technique mélange latérite sable a donné des résultats
acceptables. Cependant l’Entreprise devra spécifier les dispositions à prendre
en compte pour s’assurer de l’homogénéité du matériau.

Fiche de Revue N°029 Page 1 sur 2

 MANDANTS INGENIEUR
INDEPENDANT
REPUBLIQUE GABONAISE
MINISTERE DES TRAVAUX
PUBLICS, DE L'EQUIPEMENT ET
DES INFRASTRUCTURES
SOCIETE AUTOROUTIERE DU
GABON (SAG)

CONTRAT DE PARTENARIAT RELATIF A L'AMENAGEMENT, AU FINANCEMENT, A

L'EXPLOITATION ET A LA MAINTENANCE DE LA ROUTE ECONOMIQUE DITE
TRANSGABONAISE

Désignation
N°
paragraphe, Commentaires/Remarques/Recommandations
chapitre, plan,
page, …
OBSERVATIONS ET RECOMMANDATIONS

Voir les observations ci-dessus mensionnées

Date : 04/08/2021

Pour l’Ingénieur Indépendant

Mounir Ben Amor

Fiche de Revue N°029 Page 2 sur 2

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

FICHE DE REVUE TECHNIQUE – AMOT SETEC

Date: 30/07/2021 FICHE DE REVUE N°32/2021
Préparée par: Kenneth KUEKA Contrôlée par: Denis REYNARD Approuvée par: Denis REYNARD

CONTRAT: Transgabonaise - Contrat EPC - Travaux permanents anticipés (PK 24-

PROJET : Route Nationale Transgabonaise
PK105)
Document fourni par : Titre : Note Méthodologique pour les travaux d’exécution de la Couche de forme (latérite
Date de réception par SAG : 16/07/2021
Constructeur EPC mélangée à du sable) (R1)
Indice: 01 No. Du document : AIL-SAG-L-5267-00263 Date de réponse par TPMC : 30/07/2021

Statut de la Revue: Avec commentaires majeurs

LISTE DES DOCUMENTS REÇUS PRINCIPALES RÉFÉRENCES CONTRACTUELLES POUR RÉEXAMEN

1. AIL-SAG-L-5267-00263 - Contrat EPC
- Annexe 2 du Contrat EPC Contract :
• SAG RN1-RN3_ER_Partie III.01_ Exigences générales_Clause 1.9.2
- Fiche Technique N°22 transmise le 17 Mai 2021.

FICHE DE REVUE N°32/2021 Page 1 sur 4 Date : 30 juillet 2021

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

DOCUMENT 3 : Note Méthodologique pour les travaux d’exécution de la Couche de forme (latérite mélangée à du sable) (R1)
Designation,
Réponses et justifications du
paragraphe, Majeurs
Statut No. Commentaires du TPMC Constructeur Commentaires du TPMC
chapitre, carte, (!)
page, plans
Ouvert Générale: (!) C0 Commentaire majeur :

L’Entreprise devrait fournir une étude de formulation

(du mélange latérite-sable) pour fixer les
charatéristiques attendues et évaluer l'amélioration
potentielle que le mélange pourrait offrir (ce qui n’a
pas étè encore été fait au moment de l’émission de
cette fiche de revue). Tous les points majeurs
mentionnés dans la fiche de revue n° 22 adressée
par le Maître d'ouvrage à l'Entreprise le 17 mai 2021
n’ont pas encore été traités par l'Entreprise.
Ouvert Chapitre 5: (!) C1 Commentaire majeur :

L’Entreprise devrait préciser également dans le

chapitre 5 de sa méthodologie, les proportions en
latérite et en sable qu’elle compte utiliser pour avoir
une couche de forme respectant toutes les
exigences et les caractéristiques prévue à l’annexe
II du contrat EPC.

Ouvert Générale : (!) C2 Commentaire majeur :

FICHE DE REVUE N°32/2021 Page 2 sur 4 Date : 30 juillet 2021

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

Designation,
Réponses et justifications du
paragraphe, Majeurs
Statut No. Commentaires du TPMC Constructeur Commentaires du TPMC
chapitre, carte, (!)
page, plans
L’Entreprise devrait préciser aussi dans sa
méthodologie les profondeurs de scarification et
comment rendre le mélange homogéne/cohérent.

Ouvert Chapitre 5: C3 Dans le chapitre 5 de sa méthodologie de mise en

œuvre du mélange latérite + sable, l’Entreprise
devrait préciser :
• Les équipements de construction qu’elle a
l'intention d'utiliser pour réaliser ce type de
travaux et leurs caractéristiques.
• La main-d'œuvre et la qualification qu’elle
prévoit de mobiliser sur ce type de travaux.
Ouvert Générale: C4 Dans sa déclaration de méthode, l'Entreprise doit
inclure un plan de contrôle qui détaille comment les
proportions des matériaux (sable et latérite) seront
contrôlées ainsi que la teneur en eau.
De plus, l’Entreprise doit mentionner comment la
non-conformité sera traitée : substitution par un
matériau similaire, substitution par un autre type de
matériau, autres...

FICHE DE REVUE N°32/2021 Page 3 sur 4 Date : 30 juillet 2021

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

Selon l'annexe 2 du contrat EPC, l'examen par TPMC de la Note Méthodologique pour les travaux d’exécution de la Couche de forme
(Latérite mélangée à du sable) (R1) aboutit à une classification de catégorie 3 " Revu avec commentaires majeurs".

Catégorie de classification =
Catégorie de Définition Action du Constructeur
classification
1 Revu sans commentaire Le Constructeur peut procéder à l'édition finale du document.
Le Constructeur doit soumettre à nouveau le document du Constructeur pour un nouvel examen si des modifications sont apportées au document du
Constructeur.

2 Revu avec un Le Constructeur doit apporter les changements demandés avant l'édition finale du document.
commentaire mineur Soumission du document révisé aux commentaires éventuels du Partenaire.

3 Revu avec un Le Constructeur devra effectuer les changements demandés avant l'édition finale du document.
commentaire majeur Soumission du document révisé pour commentaires.

FICHE DE REVUE N°32/2021 Page 4 sur 4 Date : 30 juillet 2021

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

TECHNICAL REVIEW SHEET – TPMC SETEC

Date: 2021/07/29 REVIEW SHEET N°32/2021
Prepared by: Kenneth KUEKA Controlled by: Denis REYNARD Approved by: Denis REYNARD

CONTRACT: Transgabonaise - EPC Contract – Permanent Anticipated Works (KP 24-

PROJECT : Transgabonaise National Road
KP105)
Document provided by: Title: Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer (Laterite Blended with sand) (R1) Receipt Date by SAG : 2021/07/16
EPC Constructor
Index: 01 No. Du document : AIL-SAG-L-5267-00263 Response Date by TPMC : 2021/07/29

Review Status: With Major comments

LIST OF RECEIVED DOCUMENTS MAIN CONTRACTUAL REFERENCE FOR REVIEW

1- AIL-SAG-L-5267-00263 - EPC Contract
- Schedule 2 of EPC Contract :
• SAG RN1-RN3_ER_Part III.01_ General Requirements _E00
- Review Sheet 22 sent on May 15th,2021

REVIEW SHEET N° 32/2021 Page 1 of 4 Date: July 29th, 2021

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

DOCUMENT 3: Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer (Laterite Blended with sand) (R1)

Designation,
paragraph, Major Response and justification from
Status No. TPMC Comments TPMC Comments
chapter, map, (!) Constructor
page, drawings
Open General: (!) C0 Major Comment:
The Contractor should provide a formulation study
(or a design study of the laterite-sand mixture) to set
the objectives and evaluate the potential
improvement that the mixture could offer (which at
the date of this review sheet has not yet been done
to our knowledge). All the major points mentioned in
Review Sheet No. 22 sent by the Employer to the
Contractor on May 17th,2021 remained to be
addressed by the Contractor.
Open Chapter 5: (!) C1 Major Comment:
The Contractor should also specify in chapter 5 of its
methodology, the proportions of laterite and sand
that it intends to use to have a capping layer meeting
all the requirements and characteristics provided for
in Schedule 2- Performance Specifications of EPC
contract.

Open General : (!) C2 Major Comment:

The Contractor should also specify in its
methodology the depths of scarification and how it
will ensure the mixture homogeneity/consistency.

REVIEW SHEET N° 32/2021 Page 2 of 4 Date: July 29th, 2021

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

Designation,
paragraph, Major Response and justification from
Status No. TPMC Comments TPMC Comments
chapter, map, (!) Constructor
page, drawings

Open Chapter 5: C3 In Chapter 5 of its laterite + sand mix implementation

methodology, the Contractor should specify:
- The construction equipement the Contractor
intends to use to carry out this type of works with their
characteristics.
- The man power and qualification the Contractor
plans to mobilize on this type of works.

Open General: C4 In its method statement, the Contractor shall include

a control plan that details how the proportions of
materials (sand and laterite) will be controlled as well
as the water content. Moreover, the Contractor shall
mention how the non-conformance will be
addressed: substitution by similar material,
substitution with other kind of material, others...

REVIEW SHEET N° 32/2021 Page 3 of 4 Date: July 29th, 2021

 The Employer Technical PMC
PARTNERSHIP CONTRACT RELATED TO THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, FINANCING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE
TRANSGABONAISE ROAD

According to Schedule 2 of the EPC contract, TPMC's review of the Constructor's Method Statement for Earth works Capping layer (Laterite Blended with sand) (R1) results in a Category 3
classification of "Reviewed with major comments."

Classification category =
Classification Definition Constructor’s Action
category
1 Reviewed without The Constructor may proceed with final editing of the document.
comments The Constructor shall resubmit the Constructor's document for review if any changes are made to the Constructor's document.

2 Reviewed with minor Constructor shall make the requested changes prior to final editing of the document.
comments Submission of the revised document to the Partner for comment.

3 Reviewed with major The Constructor shall make the requested changes prior to final editing of the document.
comments Submission of the revised document for comments.

REVIEW SHEET N° 32/2021 Page 4 of 4 Date: July 29th, 2021