US consultant Aecom has signed a $209m deal with Libya’s government to manage the country’s housing and infrastructure development programme.

The 25-month agreement with Libya’s Housing and Infrastructure Board (HIB) establishes Aecom as the lead programme manager for HIB’s capital budget programme, a comprehensive housing and infrastructure development scheme for Libya, which has a current contracted value of more than $36bn.

As the programme expands and becomes fully reestablished, it is expected to exceed $100bn as it addresses critical housing and infrastructure needs throughout the country. Aecom led the programme from 2007 until it was suspended in 2011.

The agreement also establishes Aecom as the main adviser to the Housing & Utilities Ministry, which oversees the HIB and other agencies, with responsibility for ensuring that common systems and standards are applied to similar projects in other Housing & Utilities Ministry agencies. As such, once the current contract value or time frame is met (whichever comes first), Aecom’s role may expand to align with the scope of HIB and ministry programmes.

“We look forward to engaging in our work to advance the quality of life for the Libyan people, in terms of housing and critical infrastructure,” says John Dionisio, Aecom chairman and chief executive officer.

HIB’s housing and infrastructure programme includes the construction of new housing and infrastructure systems for all cities in Libya; urban design and development; housing units and residential settlements; upgrades to existing infrastructure, roads, highways, bridges, water, wastewater and other utility systems; and environmentally focused, sustainable processes.

“This contract with Aecom reflects the significant commitment that Libya is making in reestablishing the development of our national housing and infrastructure programme,” said Housing & Utilities Minister Ali Sharif.

According to Sharif, Aecom will serve as the lead programme manager administering HIB’s capital programme and will work with HIB and ministry staff in overseeing the hundreds of technical professionals on the programme. All outside consultant firms will be retained for specific planning, design and construction management roles. Additionally, Aecom will work with the HIB and ministry to restart and implement construction contracts throughout Libya.

Aecom had hoped to restart work on managing Libya’s housing and infrastructure development programme in August, after reaching an agreement with HIB earlier in the summer, Jim Thompson, Aecom’s chief executive officer of global programmes, told MEED’s Libya Projects 2013 conference in June.