MANILA - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $90 million in loans to help Sri Lanka restore water supply and sanitation infrastructure to the conflict-affected Northern Province, the Bank said last week.
ADB's Board of Directors approved the loans and technical assistance for the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The funds will help rehabilitate and expand water and sanitation infrastructure in target areas of the Jaffna Peninsula, it said.
"The government recognizes the project as a key part of its reconstruction program for the Northern Province, and the impact will be improved health and human development in urban areas of the Jaffna Peninsula for both current residents and returning internally displaced people," said Ricardo Barba, Safeguards Specialist in ADB's South Asia Department.
The project will rehabilitate and improve reservoir headworks, and construct a water treatment and distribution system serving the Jaffna and Kilinochchi Districts.
The new water distribution system will provide access to household connections and metered community water facilities. On the sanitation side, funds will be used to build a sewage collection and treatment system for the Jaffna Municipality; and construct low-cost household and communal latrines in poor communities, the statement from the Bank said.
Support will be given to the Jaffna Water Resources Management Committee to carry out a study and to draw up a comprehensive, integrated water resources management plan. Assistance will also be given to other resource bodies and local authorities, to develop groundwater quality and quantity monitoring and management systems, and to conduct public conservation, environmental protection and hygiene awareness campaigns.
|
E-mail
