ADB backs sanitation, clean water supply

Villagers in 12 districts of nine provinces will soon have clean water and sanitation after the Lao government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) struck an agreement on Tuesday to supply them with clean water.

A memorandum of understanding of the Appraisal Mission between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the ADB regarding the Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project was signed in Vientiane by Housing and Urban Planning Department Acting Director General Khamthavy Thaiphachanh and ADB representative Ms Anupma Jain.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and supported by the ADB at a cost of more than 190 billion kip (US$23 million). Local government and individuals from the target districts will contribute more than 15 billion kip (US$2 million) to the project.

Project Head Phomma Veoravanh said on Tuesday the agreement stipulates the project will run from 2009-2013. If this schedule is adhered to, 80 percent of villages nationwide will have clean water by 2020, he said.

ADB has chosen 21 districts in 13 provinces and plans to construct new water supply systems in 18 of these districts. New systems will be installed in 12 districts in the initial phase of the project.

About 100,000 people in the target districts will have clean water for use in daily life and help reduce the need for women and children to carry water over great distances, Mr Phomma added.

He said the project planned to install water supply systems and improve drainage channels in small towns, especially in crowded areas, to protect communities and the environment.

Project officials will also provide education for remote communities about proper sanitation practices to help prevent disease.

The project also planned to assist in the construction of community roads and help build capacity amongst water supply sector officials, as some provinces suffered from a lack of official expertise in the provision of water supplies, Mr Phomma said.

He said clean water supply in remote districts would help to improve living conditions, health and disease prevention.

By Meuangkham Noradeth
(Latest Update September 18, 2008)