ADB grants $ 88 m for waste water management
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $ 88 million loan to
the government for phase two of the Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater
Management Improvement Investment Program.
The Multitranche Financing Facility (MFF) will improve water and
waste water management services in Greater Colombo and help the
government to provide safe water and full sanitation coverage for
Greater Colombo under its Development Policy Framework.
"Though 95% of Colombo is covered by a piped water supply system, the
distribution network was built more than 100 years ago. It no longer
fully meets today's needs.
The system upgrade is expected to bring water supply
24-hours-of-the-day including to areas which have only a mere six to
10-hour supply a day," said Country Director, Sri Lanka Resident
Mission, ADB, Rita O'Sullivan.
ADB's MFF - totalling $300 million - will fund 20% of the $1.5
billion investment plan for water and sanitation in Greater Colombo. The
first loan of $84 million was made in 2012 for phase one and subsequent
loans for phases three and four are expected in 2015 and 2016. This
second project will rehabilitate and expand the water supply system
while reducing non-revenue water in Colombo south; strengthen the
institutional structure and efficiency of service providers - the
National Water Supply and Drainage Board and the Colombo Municipal
Council and complete designs and project readiness for phase three waste
water investments.
The loan will also be used to increase participation of low-income
communities in water conservation, especially women, through the
formation of water user groups.
Women will be encouraged to take on leadership positions in these
groups and raise awareness in water and waste water in their
communities.
The ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia
and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally
sustainable growth and regional integration.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members - 48 from the region.
In 2012, ADB assistance totalled $21.6 billion, including co-financing
of $8.3 billion. |