Last updated: 16:45 - December 21, 2006
World Bank provides US $125 million to improve sanitation http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/life/211206/life_w.htm
The World Bank yesterday approved a US $124.7 million credit to improve environmental sanitation in three Vietnam's major coastal cities, including Nha Trang, Quy Nhon and Dong Hoi.
The funds, provided by the International Development Association - the World Bank's fund for low-income countries - will be used to reduce flooding and improve the collection of sewage in the three cities through the construction of new sewers and drainage systems. Wastewater currently discharging into groundwater, rivers or the sea will be transferred to a number of new wastewater treatment plants to be built under the project. At the same time, new landfill sites will be constructed or older ones upgraded or expanded so that the quality and quantity of solid waste collection and disposal significantly improves.
The three cities - Nha Trang, Quy Nhon and Dong Hoi - are all growing urban centers which are attracting increasing numbers of tourists, nationally and internationally.
According to World Bank project manager Bill Kingdom, by 2010, the volume of municipal waste being produced in towns and cities across Vietnam is expected to increase on current levels by 60%. This project will play an important part in the Government's plan to improve urban sanitation standards throughout the country.
Bill Kingdom said the project would also provide funds to build the capacity of the city departments and service providers which will manage and operate the new facilities. This will include training in the technical operation and maintenance of new equipment as well as support for improved financial and information management systems.
Another US $2million of project funds will be made available for each city to build improved toilet facilities in schools and to provide small loans to householders for the construction of home sanitation facilities.
The World Bank is also mobilising US $ 5 million from the Global Environment Facility for the demonstration of appropriate new technology in Quy Nhon while the Japanese Ministry of Finance is providing a grant of US $4.6 million to build the capacity of service providers and raise public awareness of the project.
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