afrol News, 2 June - The World Bank has approved US$ 80 million for Burkina Faso for the expansion and development of portable water and sanitation services in the capital Ouagadougou and three other major towns.

The fund approved under the International Development Association for Urban Water Sector Project is expected to boost the supply of water in the city towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

The project is to be executed over a five-year period will facilitate direct access to potable water by 527,000 additional individuals, and to appropriate sanitation services by more than 245,000 inhabitants, according to the World Bank

According to the World Bank statement, the IDA grant provided to the Burkinabè government is to be transferred to the National Water and Sanitation Authority (ONEA) based on a bilateral agreement and under acceptable conditions for maintaining the financial stability of the sub-sector and preserving consumer purchasing power.

World Bank team leader for the project Matar Fall said the proposed project supports the National Water Supply and Sanitation Program (PN-AEPA) adopted in December 2006 by the Burkinabè government with a view to achieving the water and sanitation MDGs.

"It is based on a strategy of facilitating access by disadvantaged population groups to water and sanitation services, through a program that provides shared water service connections and on-site sanitation facilities, thus strengthening the impact of urban water reform and building capacity in the sub-sector," the leader said.

The new water project is also expected to benefit close to 120,000 students in schools, a situation that was said also to have a significant impact on hygiene in the area and would lead to behavioural changes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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