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Add to Preferred SourcesThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $28 million loan and a $9 million grant for the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project, which will provide better access to safe water and improve sanitation in urban areas of Solomon Islands.
The project will adopt a sector approach for developing sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient water supply and improved sanitation in the greater Honiara area and five other towns, namely Auki, Gizo, Noro, Munda, and Tulagi.
Following the government’s Water and Sanitation Sector Plan, the project will increase people’s access to piped water supply and sanitation services, especially among poor households; reduce reliance on well water and rainwater harvest, and ensure more efficient water usage.
Apart from ADB, the European Union (EU) with a $20.35 million grant, the World Bank with a $15 million loan, the Government of Solomon Islands with $11.47 million, and the Solomon Water with $9 million will contribute financing to the $92.82 million project, which will enhance hygiene awareness, promote water conservation, and improve fecal sludge management in the country’s urban areas.
“The project and ADB’s engagement in the water and sanitation sector brings extensive Pacific experience in water and sanitation infrastructure investment and provides best practices for water utility institutional strengthening,” said ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist for the Pacific Mr. Stephen Blaik. “The project will also help the government and Solomon Water address project environmental and social safeguard issues.”
ADB’s $28 million concessional loan will be sourced from ADB’s ordinary capital resources. The $9 million grant will be provided from ADB’s Special Funds resources. ADB will also administer the $20.35 million EU grant. The Ministry of Finance and Treasury will be the executing agency and Solomon Water will be the implementing agency for the project.
Original source: ADB
Published on 26 September 2019