q12-lea connect jan 2016

LEAconnect/Qtr-12/Jan. 2016

LEAdership in engineering& planning solutions

Dear Readers,

Greetings and a warm welcome to this edition of LEA Connect. And thank you all for your

overwhelming response to the new look and enhanced volume of our newsletter.

A technical article on LEA's improved capability to undertake road surveys using automated

technology (Hawkeye), describes important aspects of the technology that enables data

collection in a faster and more precise manner.

At one of the LASA's ongoing projects, 'well point system' for lowering the water table for

foundations at major bridges was quite successfully adopted.Anote on this well point method

is also appearing in this issue.

One of the articles emphasises on use of plastic waste in hot mix asphalt which basically

addresses a burning environmental issues of non- decomposable solid waste.

We would welcome your comments and suggestions in respect of our endeavours and expect

your continued support in in bringing out the newsletter the way you wish to see it. You may

write to us at [email protected]

Hope you will enjoy reading LEAConnect.

..Team LEA Connect

C o n t e n t s

LEAConnect

“The best teamwork come

from them, who are working

independently towards one

goal in unison”

...James Cash Penny

� LASA's enhanced capability ....P2for road surveys using automatedtechnologies/ HawkeyeUse of “Well Point System” ....P4for Lowering of Water Table –A Case StudyUse of Waste Plastic in ....P6Hot Modified Bituminous in wearingcourses for Roads & HighwaysLEA Consulting Smart Commute ....P8Industry News ....P9Projects Won ....P10New Project Announcement ....P10by LEA ConsultingInauguration of Jimma–Bonga ....P11Road in Ethiopia.Workshop by African ....P11Development Bank in EthiopiaThe transition to our new ....P12LEA Group CFOLEA Group Chair meeting ....P12with the Premier of Ontario

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for road surveys using automated technologies/ HawkeyeLASA's enhanced capability

ASA has recently acquired a hi-tech roadsurvey equipment fitted to a Mahindra Scorpio

vehicle. The survey equipment is procured fromAustralian Road Research Bureau (ARRB), sold bythe name of Hawkeye 1000 Series. It is a portablerange of road survey equipment, designed to offersolutions for road profiling and video datacollection. The Hawkeye 1000 range has beenused world-wide for pavement and assetmanagement purpose. Several hardware such asH1000 Digital Laser Profiler (DLP), DistanceMeasuring Instrument (DMI), Trimble DGPS,Video Camera are integrated together to collectaccurate, time stamped data. Thus, each datacollected are linked with GPS coordinates andlinear chainage there-by making the data morewidely acceptable to GIS-based AssetManagement Systems.

In view of above facts, IRC 37-2012 suggests theuse of FWD for structural evaluation and design ofoverlays and IRC SP-87 has made mandatory touse FWD for the structural evaluation of flexiblepavements in 4 to 6 laning projects. Showing view of the Survey Vehicle Fitted with Hi-Tech Equipment – ARRB Hawkeye1000

Schematic view of variouscomponents of Hawkeye1000

The H1000 Digital LaserProfiler (DLP)

Measures longitudinal profile, roughness(IRI) and macrotexture (MPD , SMTD)

A World Bank Class 1 profiler, the H1000 DLPmeasures road profile on the wheel trackusing precision laser sensors. The DLP ismounted on a detachable beam with a tow-barmounting kit. The Laser profiler has TwoLimab Road Run Tex Rough Laserassemblies on each wheel track (3 lasers foreach wheel track) to acquire roughness,macro texture and mean profile depth. Tocompensate for vehicle body movement,accelerometers are used. An accurateDistance Measuring Instrument (DMI), GPS,and the Heartbeat module are used toprecisely link the data to distancemeasurements. The Profiler measures databased on the longitudinal profile of thepavement at every 25mm interval.

H1000 Digital Laser Profiler (DLP)

Used in conjunction with the HawkeyeProcessing Toolkit, it has ability to producetables, graphs, reports and exports from thecollected data. The Roughness and Macrotexture graphs are produced

Data Acquisition (Roughness-IRI)

Data Acquisition (Surface Texture Depth-SMTD)

The Hawkeye 1000 DigitalImaging System (DIS)The system comprises the latest digital cameratechnology and produces crisp, high-resolutionvideo frames to ensure a continuous digitalrecord of the roadway. The calibrated videocameras accurately log digital images ofroadside assets against other parameters suchas distance (chainage) and GPS (latitude &longitude). Survey time is reduced by collectingall condition data and imagery in a single pass.Fully motorised lenses enable the real-timeadjustment of the optical zoom control, focusand iris for high-quality images. Two camerasare mounted on a frame over roof top, each in awaterproof enclosure and all controlled throughthe common Hawkeye interface.

In vehicle DataAcquisition Module

Digital Imaging System (DIS)

L

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LEAconnect/Qtr-12/Jan.2016

The Hawkeye ProcessingToolkit software ensures thatthe survey database can berev iewed , ed i ted andprocessed quickly andefficiently. The data fromeach module can then becompared against otherresults and exported top a v e m e n t a n d a s s e tmanagement systems. Fromthe video images, networkand project level road andasset data can be collected.Further, image can be usedfo r rou t i ne pavemen tdistress estimation andm o n i t o r i n g , r o a d s i d ei n v e n t o r y a n d a s s e tmanagement.

Data Acquisition : Video Camera (Stitched Frames)

Video Camera (Linear Measurements)

Data Processing : Video Camera (x,y coordinates)

Data Processing : Video Camera (Distress Area Measurements)

The Trimble GPS SPS361

The GPS equipment roof mounted on the topof the vehicle obtains the real time positioninformation along with information aboutsurvey vehicle speed and distance. Inconjunction with OMNISTAR VBS satellitecorrection subscription provides DGPS sub-meter (<1m) accurate spatial data.

Data processing : Spatial Output(Overlaid on Satellite Image)

Data Acquisition : Distance Measuring Instrument (DMI)

The Distance Measuring Instrument (DMI)The DMI is connected on the rear side of the right wheel which sends distancepulses to the Heartbeat which combines with time to provide an accuratespeed and distance information. This is synchronized with all othercomponents such as Laser profiler, Video Imaging Camera and DGPS toacquire data along with chainages.

Processing UnitAll the hardware units are connected using communicationhardware with the processing unit which integrates all themodules and ensures data acquisition through ARRBsoftware.

Data Acquisition : Processing Unit

...Satyakam Sahu

Data Acquisition : Trimble DGPS (Receiver)

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LEA Associates South Asia Pvt. Ltd. (LASA)has been appointed as Authority's Engineer(AE) for the project of Rehabilitation and upgradation of Bahraich to Rupaidiha Section ofNH 28C (km 99 to km 150.200) to two laneswith paved shoulder in the state of UttarPradesh under NHDP-IV on EPC Basis.

As a part of the project, a new bridge has to beconstructed over Mahamda Nala of Saryuriver at chainage 124+720Km with pilefoundation. After completing the piling workthere was a big task of constructing the pilecap in view of difficulties posed by the

Dewatering with well Points:-(A)

(B)

(C)

Uniform soil can be dewatered with wellpoints on one side.A clay layer above sub grade bay requiresand drains on opposite side to handleperched water.Clay at and below sub grade may requirewell points on both sides of trench.

Brief Description of WellPoint System:-

Well Points are small-diameter (about 50 mm)tubes with slots near the bottom that areinserted into the ground from which water isdrawn by a vacuum generated by adewatering pump. Well Points are typicallyinstalled at close centers in a line along oraround the edge of an excavation. Asvacuum is limited to 0 bars, the height towhich water can be drawn is limited to about 6meters (in practice). Well Point can beinstalled in stages, with the first reducing thewater level by up to five meters, and a secondstage, installed at a lower level, lowering itfurther. The water trickling between the deepwells may be collected by a single row of wellpoint at the toe. This method ensures a muchthicker width free from seepage forces.

In a typical system, well points are spaced atintervals of 1 to 3 meters. The depth to which awell point is sunk into the ground is largelydetermined by the nature of subsurface soil. Inshort, well point systems are frequently thelogical and economical choice for dewateringconstruction sites where the required lowering ofground water level is of the order of 6m or less.

Use of “Well Point System”Use of “Well Point System”for Lowering of Water Table – A Case Study

significant presence of surface water andground water seepage at this location.Initially, EPC Contractor for the projectM/S G.R. Infraprojects Limited triedpumping out the water at the pile cap areaby enclosing it with steel sheet piling andconstruction of coffer dam but was notsuccessful as there was large amount ofwater seepage from the bottom. LASA(Authority's Engineer for the project)proposed and convinced the Contractor touse “well point system” so that foundationwork at this location could be be doneeffectively in dry conditions.

The Bridge

Arrangement 3X17 meter

Original Ground Level (OGL) 126.093(RL)

Lowest Water Level (LWL) 123.54(RL)

Pile Cap Bottom (PCB) 121.2(RL)

Diff between OGL and PCB 4.893(m)

Diff between LWL and PCB 2.34(m)

Sand content of soil at OGL 70%

B

A

C

...Rafi Ahmed and Rana Raj Kumar

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Multi-stage well Point systemWell Point system is suitable for depth up to 6m ifthe pump is installed at ground level, soil has tobe courser. If the sand content of soil is morethan 20%, the well-point system can work well init. For excavations deeper than 6m, multi-stageddewatering equipment can be used. In this caseeach stage has its own pump. Number of stagecan vary but more than three stages of wellpoints don't seem practical. More the number ofstages more is the excavation width required.

Although contractor started structure work after3 months of the Appointed Date, today it isahead of Milestone-II for the project because ofsuch effective methods in place. Contractor isnow expected to complete the project wellahead of Schedule for completion.

Some photographs have been takenduring construction of pile cap works ofBr idge @ CH. 124+720Km afterinstallation of well Point dewateringsystem

A view of Bridge Site Condition before Installation of Well Point Dewatering System

A view after Completion of 2st Stage of Well Point dewatering System

A view after Completion of 1st Stage ofWell Point Dewatering System.

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Use of Waste Plastic in Hot Modified Bituminousin wearing courses for Roads & Highways

Use of Waste Plastic in Hot Modified Bituminous

BACKGROUD

ADVANTAGES OF USINGWASTE PLATIC

Safe disposal of waste plastic is a seriousenvironmental problem. Being a non-biodegradable material, it does not decayovertime and even if dumped in landfills, finds itsway-back in the environment through air andwater erosion, can choke the drains anddrainage channel, can be eaten by unsuspectinggrazing animals causing them illness and death,can contaminate the construction fill etc. Thebest way of disposal of waste plastic is itsrecycling in the construction of roads andhighways to the maximum extent and manydeveloped countries elsewhere have recycledplastic waste to manufacture various products,including some used in heavy construction ofrailway sleepers etc.

Waste plastics have great potential for use inbituminous road construction as its addition insmall doses, about 5-8% by weight of bitumenhelps in substantially improving the Marshallstability, strength, fatigue life and other desirableproperties of bituminous mix, leading toimproved longevity and pavement performance.The use of waste plastic thus contributes toconstruction of green roads and highways.

Shredded plastic waste of size between 2.36mmand 4.75mm is mixed with hot aggregate mix and Manufacturing of Waste Plastic modified bituminous mix.

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hot bitumen. The major polymers namelypolythene, polypropylene and polystyrene showadhesion property in their molten state. Wasteplastic bitumen mix forms better material forpavement construction as the mix shows higherMarshall Stability value and suitable MarshallQuotient. It is one of the best cost-effectivemethods for easy disposal of waste plastics.

Plastic is coated over stones, improvingsurface property of aggregates.Coating is easy and temperature required issame as road laying temperature.Use waste plastic 5-8% by weight of bitumendepending on the climatic conditions of highand low rainfall areas.Flexible films of all types of plastics can beused.Doubles the binding property of aggregates.Bitumen bonding is stronger than normal.The coated aggregates show increasedstability of the mixes.No evolution of any toxic gases as maximumtemperature is 160 C.

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MANUFACTURING OFMODIFIED BITUMINOUSMIXES USING WASTEPLASTICS

In order to ensure that the quality of the finishedwaste plastic is consistent, the followingprocess must be adhered to beforeconsidering its use in bituminous constructionin wearing courses for roads and highways.

Collection of waste plastic.Cleaning and shredding of waste plastic.Shredding machine.Mixing of shredded waste plastic, aggregateand bitumen in central hot mixing plant.

The material shall consist of only low densitypolyethylene (LDPE) or high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), PU(available in limitedquantity as waste) and PET.Black colored plastic waste is a result ofrepeated recycling and should not be used.PVC shall not be used since they releaselethal levels of dioxins.The Thermo Gravimetic (TGA) of thermo-plastics has revealed gas evolution andthermal degradation may occur beyond1 6 0 C . T h u s m i s u s e a n d w r o n gimplementation of this technology may resultin release of harmful gases, prematuredegradation, if the temperatures are notmaintained during construction.

Construction operation shall be in accordancewith the IRC 111-2009, IRC 14-2004, IRC 110-2005 and IRC: SP 78-2008 for dense gradedand open graded mixes respectively. Besides,plastic shall be tested for impurity and melt flowvalue in accordance with these references.

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However, the following precautionarymeasures need to be taken in the process:

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...Dr. S. S. SeehraCompleted Rural Roads using Modified Plastic Waste Bituminous Mix in Punjab State (Distt. Patiala)

Manufacturing of Waste Plastic modified bituminous mix

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LEA Consulting Smart Commute

LEA Consulting Ltd. is an active member ofthe Smart Commute community. SmartCommute is a transportation demandmanagement (TDM) program that offers localbusinesses and residents practical, efficient,and economical solutions for commuting toand from work. Its goal is to decrease trafficcongestion, increase productivity, improve airquality, and enhances the overall health andwellbeing of the community. At LEA,sustainable travel choices are stronglyencouraged and supported through programssuch as our Discounted Transit TokenProgram and our enthusiastic participation inSmart Commute events. This commitmenthas rewarded LEA with signif icantimprovements to our travel choices as oursingle occupant modal split has been reducedby 12.9% since 2011 in favor of moresustainable modes such as transit, cycling,and carpooling.

LEA is also excited to announce our recentSmart Commute Silver Workplace which isawarded to workplaces which go above andbeyond to make significant positive impactson the environment and congestion throughprogressive travel choices.

Drive

AloneCarpool Other Transit Walk

Dropped

OffVanpoll Bike Telework

2011 94.70% 5.30% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

2015 81.80% 9.10% 1.80% 3.60% 0.00% 1.80% 0.00% 1.80% 0.00%

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

2015-LEA Consulting Ltd. Modal Split

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Recommendations by Kelkar Committeeto revive PPP in Infra Projects in India.

A Committee, headed by former FinanceSecretary Vijay Kelkar, mandated to reviewPublic-Private Partnership (PPP) ininfrastructure has suggested the revival of adefunct proposal to establish 3P India tosupport PPP projects. It has also suggestedrationalized allocation of risks among variousstakeholders in a project, and moving awayfrom the one-size-fits-all approach to PPPmodel concession agreements (MCAs).

It added the government should encouragedevelopment of airports, ports and railwaysthrough PPP, by ensuring easier funding forprojects with long gestation periods. “PPPsare an important policy instrument that willenable India to compress time in its journeytowards economic growth. A successful andgrowing stream of PPPs in infrastructure willgo a long way in accelerating the country'sdevelopment process,” said the report, whichwas made public by the Finance Ministry.

“Every stakeholder, without exception, hasstrongly emphasized the urgent need for adedicated institute for PPPs, as wasannounced in the previous budget. Thecommittee strongly endorses the 3PI, whichcan function as a centre of excellence, enableresearch, and review and roll out activities tobuild capacity,” the panel said. For future PPPcontracts, the panel suggested properassessment of managing risk and that thereshould be a renegotiation framework in the biddocument itself.

“It is the committee's view that MCAs for eachsector be reviewed to capture the interests ofall participating stakeholders-users, project

proponents, concessionaires, lenders andmarkets,” it said.

Other suggestions include restrictions onthe number of banks in a consortium,building up of risk assessment and appraisalcapabilities by banks, and specific

guidelines to lenders for encashment ofbank guarantees. It also suggested thereshould be a provision for monetisation ofviable projects that had stable revenueflows after engineering, procurement andconstruction delivery.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE KELKAR COMMITTEE

Roads:

Ports:

Railways:

Power:

Airports:

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Increase concession period for BOT projects

Relax exit normsDispose pending cases between developers and NHAIShift to electronic tolling in time-bound manner

Move from pre-TAMP (tariff authority for major ports) to current-TAMPStrengthen and accelerate environmental clearanceProvide support infrastructure (including land, reliable access to utilities, dredging,rail, roads) to developer

Take up simpler projects first to build credibility

Set up regulatory authority to settle technical issues such as track-access charges

Not many power projects are under PPP. But the sector has a far-reaching impact oninfrastructure PPPsImmediately address power sector finances as they are hurting bank loans

Prepare a policy that addresses the expected growth parameters of thesector and promotes PPPsConcession agreement should stipulate important commercial parameters like returnon equity, treatment of land for non-commercial purposesDevelop brownfield and greenfield airports with defined structure, revenue sharingmechanisms

Introduce hybrid models, viable gap funding, part annuity, operation andmaintenance grants, etc for non-BOT projects

Such projects can be brownfield - monetisation of existing stations - or,greenfield -development of new stations

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Projects WonSome of the important projects awarded to LASA during the last quarter (Oct-Dec' 15)

Sl. No. Project Name Client Name

1Consultancy Services for Detailed Design and Preparation of Tender Documents for AssortedAccident "Black Spots" Interventions Measures and Supervision of Improvement of AssortedAccident "Black Spots" along DAR ES Salaam Corridor.

Tanzania National Roads Agency

2 Provision for Consultancy Services for Business Process Re-engineering. Kenya National Highways Authority

3Consultancy Services for Design and Construction of Roads and Service of Activation Area inDholera Special Investment Region Area, Dholera on EPC Basis.

Simplex Infrastructures Limited

4Construction Supervision Services for the project “Four laning of Yedeshi Aurangabad section ofNH-211 from Km 100/000 to Km 290/200 in the state of Maharashtra to be executed as BOT (Toll)on DBFOT pattern under NHDP Phase-IVB.”

Modern Road Makers Pvt. Ltd. (MRMPL)

5Consultancy Services for Authority's Engineer for work of development and construction for fourlaning of Babatpur-Varanasi section of NH-56 (From Km. 263.000 to Km. 280.250) in the state ofUttar Pradesh on EPC basis.

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

6Independent Engineer services during Operation & Maintenance for period for “4-lane dualcarriageway from 407.100 to Km.456.100 of NH-1 (Jalandhar-Amritsar Section) in the State ofPunjab and Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) Basis”.

National Highways Authority Of India

7Consultancy Services for Design Review and Update and Supervision of Civil Works for the RoadNH13 Between Muita and Massangulo (94 Km) in Niassa Province.

Administracao Nacional de Estradas (ANE)

8Consultancy Services for Preparation of Conceptual Design Bidding Documents, Support inProcurement of Civil Works and Supervision for R604: From N304 Near Mphulo (100 Km) andR605: From N304 Near Ulonggwe Through Domue to Furancungo (99.6 Km) in Tete Province.

Administracao Nacional de Estradas (ANE)

9Consultancy Services for Design and Supervision Rehabilitation Works of R702-Road BetweenNH12 Junction and Nacala-A-Velha (20 Km) in Nampula Province. Administracao Nacional de Estradas (ANE)

10Rajasthan Road Sector Modernization Project (RRSMP)- Consultancy Services for Setting up

Sustainable Road Asset Management System (RAMS)Public Works Department,Government of Rajasthan

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Procurement of consultancy for preparation of Feasibility Study/Detailed Project report of selectedstate road stretches for Two/Four laning with paved shoulder NH configuration under Bharat MalaScheme-Jaisalmer (NH-11)-Kanod-Ghantiali-Nachna-Chinnu-Naukh and Jaisalmer-Myajilar(Packagae-7).

National Highways Authority of India

New Project Announcement by LEA Consulting

In September of 2015, the LEA Municipal andHighways Team began the detailed design-build phase of the vivaNext H2-West & H2-East Rapid Bus Transitway Project with acapital cost of approximately $500 milliondollars. This project is one of the signaturepieces of York Region's (one of Canada'sfastest growing regions) overall plan to build acommitted transit system across its maintransportation corridor (Highway 7) providingan alternative mode of transportation for anexisting car-centric Greater Toronto Area(GTA) suburb.The overall project delivery is the latest in aseries of DBF (Design-Build-Finance)projects, a unique infrastructure developmentcollaboration between both the private andpublic sector. The project delivery teamconsisted of Ellis Don and CoCo Paving(EDCO Construction Inc. builder/financegroup) and LEA Consulting, IBI Group, PML,and AMEC (design partnership). The natureof this type of project delivery (DBF) provides agreat profit incentive for achieving projectschedule. The result of this incentive is thetrigger for innovation to occur which then candrive the development and use of advancedtechnology and collaborative design-thinkingto support efficiencies in the entire design-build process.LEA Consulting was selected, as part of the

overall project team, to provide theTechnology Leadership on the project.

vivaNext RAPID BUS TRANSITWAY PROJECT

Already armed with a deep investment intraining in 3D BIM modelling and hiring staffwith an aptitude for innovation, LEAimplemented an industry-first 'VirtualDesign and Construction (VDC)' plan withthe intent on becoming the first project teamin the GTA market and Canada to fullyimplement a 3D Building Information Model(BIM) for a civil infrastructure project of thisscale. With 6 companies, 6 offices, and 18different disciplines involved with thiscollaborative effort, and with a hugelearning curve to implement this type oftechnology in a real-world environment,LEA Consulting took this challengeshowing leadership driving the processfrom the beginning.Using this VDC Plan as a guide, theproject's multi-disciplinary design team todate has been successful in 3D BIMmodelling almost 11km of surface andsubsurface design elements, andconnecting them together to create a 'live'3d model environment using the power ofBentley software's ProjectWise DataManagement platform based on theinternet cloud. This `live` approach to 3dBIM modelling is the conduit to make surethat all project disciplines always haveaccess to up-to-date design information.The project is currently in progress(somewhere between 60% and 90%complete) but the results of implementing

an advanced technology strategy like thisis already proving hugely successful insubstantially reducing the engineeringdesign effort and timelines. We have anoverall BIM objective of being able toidentify design conflicts early in the projectschedule in order to reduce the amount ofre-design that typically occurs throughoutboth the design and construction phases ofsuch projects.

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Inauguration of Jimma–Bonga Road in Ethiopia.

Jimma – Mizan RoadUpgrading Project, Contract 1Jimma–Bonga Junction,where LEA was thesupervision consultant wasinaugurated by AtoHailemariam Desalegn, theHonourable Prime Minister ofEthiopia accompanied byResident Representative ofthe African DevelopmentBank and HE, theAmbassador Korea.

Workshop by African Development Bank in Ethiopia.African Development Bank in Ethiopiaorganized a workshop on 17th December 2015to address and share issues and experiencesrelated to construction problem, quality, timeand cost issues in Ethiopia. The workshop wasattended by the Officers from Ethiopian RoadAuthority, Contractors and the Consultantsworking in the country. Mr. K. K. Thakurrepresented LEA Group and through hispresentation, he shared our experiencesgained over a larger span of time and throughworking on many projects in Ethiopia.

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The transition to our new LEA Group CFOThe last LEA Connectcontained a verypersonal, eloquentarticle about PaulDuncan prepared byDr. Raju. Paul, asmost of you know hadworked for the LEAGroup for 50 years,and served as the CFO since 2008. InSeptember of last year we held a retirementdinner for Paul in honour of his many years ofinvaluable service.

Since September Paul has been helping ournew CFO take over the duties andresponsibilities of the CFO for the LEA Group.So who is our new CFO?

Her name is Erin Prohaska. Erin graduated in2006 summa cum laude (with distinction) witha Bachelor of Business Administration fromYork University in Toronto. Upon graduationshe joined Deloitte LLP, one of the world'slargest audit and financial advisory servicescompanies. In 2009 Erin earned her

-Dave Saunders,(CEO LEA Group)

LEA Group Chair meeting with the Premier of Ontario

Mr. John Farrow, Chair,LEA Group Holdings Inc.briefed Ms. Kathleen Wynne,the Premier of Ontario,Canada, regarding, LEAGroup's Operations in India,before her visit 'OntarioBusiness Mission to India'.The meeting took place atOntario Investment andTrade Centre, Toronto.

Chartered Professional Accountantdesignation. A year later she graduatedwith a Master of Taxation from theUniversity of Waterloo where she was therecipient of the 2010 Canadian Tax ScholarAward for placing first overall in the Masterof Taxation program.

Paul and I first met Erin in 2010. At the time,she was working with Deloitte, who we hadretained as our new auditors. Erin wasresponsible for preparing and filing our taxreturns and was also a major contributor tothe corporate reorganization that we hadasked Deloitte to carry out. Over the nextthree years Paul and I and others at LEAhad frequent opportunities to work with Erinon a variety of issues. We were impressedwith her efficiency, knowledge about taxissues and commitment to client service.

In 2014 we initiated a search to find asuccessor to Paul. By that time Erin had leftDeloitte to join a company in Waterloo astheir Director of Finance. We contacted Erinand were pleased that she was interested in

the position. After interviewing Erin andseveral other well-qualified candidates, weoffered Erin the position of CFO LEA Group.

Over the last 6 months, under Paul'sdirection, Erin has gradually taken overPaul's responsibilities. While the transitionfrom Paul to Erin in connection with theCanadian operations is virtually complete,we recognized that it was going to take moretime for her to develop a comprehensiveunderstanding of the finances of LASA andLEA International (LIL). To ensure a smoothtransition, Paul will continue to work with theLEA Group, acting as an advisor to LASAand LIL.

Although the timing has not been finalized,Paul and Erin plan to visit India in the nearfuture. This will give many of the staff ofLASA an opportunity to welcome and get toknow Erin and to continue their longstandingrelationship with Paul.

...Dave Saunders

Erin Prohaska