Almost three decades of conflict had left Angola’s social and economic infrastructure devastated. Once peace was restored in 2002, the Angolan Government launched major reconstruction programmes to provide basic services and infrastructure such as roads, water, sanitation and power networks, as well as houses, schools and hospitals.

This year marks the achievement of a prestigious milestone for Aurecon – celebrating 21 years of working and helping to rebuild war-torn Angola.

“The story of Aurecon’s 21 year history in Angola started with the then Africon group. It is a story of perseverance, innovation and commitment to overcoming seemingly overwhelming obstacles to help lay the foundation of a new future for the country’s people,” says José Miranda, Aurecon Regional Manager, Africa West Coast and South America.

In 1991, Aurecon’s involvement in Angola began through a relationship that developed between José Miranda, then Aurecon Maputo Office Manager, and Jorge Flora, a former Minister of Works, who had established Gabeng – a small local consultancy.

“During the following years, Aurecon’s involvement in Angola and our Angolan team grew considerably. In 2009, when Africon merged with two other international consultancies, Ninham Shand and Connel Wagner, to form Aurecon, the Angola office became even more equipped, backed by Aurecon’s global resources, to take on the challenges facing the engineering and consulting sector in Angola,” says Tony Barreto dos Santos, Aurecon Country Manager, Angola.

This successful journey culminatedin the inauguration of Aurecon’s own 1400 m² office building in Luanda in 2010.This building centralised Aurecon’s operations, which had previously comprised two local offices, one at the Nova Vida project site and another in Luanda’s Talatona area.

In celebration of this prestigious milestone and to honour our clients, partners and the people who put great effort into growing our business in Angola, Aurecon will be hosting a gala event on 7 December 2012.

At this event, DuasDécadasem Angola (Celebrating Angola) and accompanying DVD will be launched to commemorate and showcase Aurecon’s Angolan journey.

“Through the eyes of our dedicated staff, partners and our clients, we outline the highlights of our journey over the past years, as well as an increasingly impressive list of projects which have been instrumental in assisting Angola to emerge from its history of strife and destruction, to an era of growth and development,” says Miranda.

He goes on to say “We salute the character and tenacity of the Angolan people. This book is dedicated to them and to the many successful associations Aurecon has enjoyed with clients in Angola over the past 21 years. Together we have accomplished significant changes, changes that speak for themselves throughout the pages of Celebrating Angola.”

Dos Santos concludes that the enduring partnerships that Aurecon’s team in Angola has established are founded on trust, trust that Aurecon has earned through ensuring reliable, effective delivery of infrastructure and projects.

“Aurecon, which in all of its dealingsacts with integrity, honesty and respect for others, has played a leading role in the reconstruction of Angola and will continue to do so in the years to come.”

Photo: Aurecon staff in Angola