afrol News, 22 December - The Mauritanian government has assured financing totalling US$ 35 million of two major infrastructure projects. These include the construction of the Rosso-Boghé road and supplying Nouakchott with drinking water from River Senegal.

Representatives from the African Development Bank (ADB) and the Mauritanian government in Tunis have signed loan and grant agreements, totalling US$ 35.44 millions, to finance two infrastructure projects in Mauritania, ADB said in a statement today.

The first project was approved by the African Development Fund (ADF) on 2 July. It includes a loan of US$ 11.69 million, and a grant of US$ 720,000, both from the ADF, and a loan of US$ 8.64million from the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). The funding will finance the road construction project of Rosso-Boghé in Mauritania.

- The construction of the Rosso-Boghé road will help open up and develop the right bank of River Senegal, said ADB Vice-President Olabisi Ogunjobi, adding that "this operation is the second road project funded by the Bank Group in Mauritania, after the Akjout-Atar road project which was implemented in good conditions and turned to be a success."

According to the Mauritanian government, this road project "directly affects 100,000 inhabitants spread out in 67 localities and will have a major impact in promoting the development of agriculture thus fostering the development of several other economic activities such as stockbreeding, traditional fishing, commercial and service activities and transport."

The second project, approved by the Board of Directors of the ADF on 24 September, concerns the supply of drinking water to the in Nouakchott, the capital city of Mauritania, from the River Senegal, through a US$ 14.4 millions loan.

- The Nouakchott City Drinking Water Supply from River Senegal Project (Aftout Essaheli) will help solve the drinking water shortage prevailing in the Mauritanian capital by raising drinking water supply from the present 50,000 cubic metres per day to 170,000 m3, précised Mr Ogunjobi.

On his side, the Mauritanian ambassador in Tunis, Cheikh Ould Baha, emphasised that "Nouakchott city supply with drinking water is one of the key priorities of the government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania."

According to the Mauritanian government, the Nouakchott water project aims to ensure the availability of drinking water in the capital "during the next 30 years" by enhancing access to drinking water and "thereby improving the living conditions of the populations."

This project is to include a drainage pump designed for a flow of 3.1 m3/s which will take water from river Senegal, a water pre-treatment station, supply of drinking water to the populations living around the pre-treatment station and a pumping station which will be equipped with four pumps in Nouakchott. It also includes constructing a 129,000 m3 water reservoir and a water treatment station in Nouakchott.

- The number of inhabitants who will benefit from the project is estimated at 1,061,000 in 2008, 1,309,316 in 2020 and 1,836,427 in 2030, according to projections from Nouakchott authorities.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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