The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) granted a loan for an amount of US$111.13 million to the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AYA) to partially finance the execution of the “Potable Water and Sanitation in Coastal Zones, Quality Management and Service Efficiency Program.”
The program is composed of the construction project for the new National Water Laboratory and five water sanitation projects, namely:
- Improvements to the Guácimo de Limón Aqueduct;
- Improvements to the Limón Potable Water Supply System, Stage II;
- Improvements and Expansion of the aqueduct system of Jacó, Garabito, Stage II;
- Improvements to the Aqueduct of Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Stage II;
- Construction of sanitary sewer in Moín, Limón
The program falls under the framework of the focus area denominated Human Development and Social Development Infrastructure, which is part of the Social Development Axis of the 2015-2019 CABEI Institutional Strategy, “Integrating Sustainable Development and Competitiveness.” Likewise, it is also part of the CABEI Regional Water and Sanitation Program, which aims to improve the quality of life of Central Americans through access to basic services, such as potable water and sanitation.
The program also contributes to the fulfillment of three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 1 – End poverty in all its forms throughout the world; Goal 3 – Ensure a healthy life and promote welfare for all at all ages; and Goal 6 – Ensure water availability and its sustainable management and sanitation for all.
In this regard, CABEI Country Manager for Costa Rica, Mauricio Chacón, stated that, “The development of these projects gives an important boost to the quality of life of Costa Rican citizens in rural areas with a high impact on the health and economy of these populations, while also promoting efficiency, quality and the significant contribution that these projects provide to the environment.”
The Program is a priority for the country, since it represents a social investment in the basic infrastructure of aqueducts and sewage systems and service quality management at the national level, especially to important populations of the provinces of Limón and Puntarenas.
Original source: BCIE
Published on 10 May 2019
