WASHINGTON, May 20, 2003--The World Bank today approved a US$12 million equivalent credit for the Pilot Water Supply and Sanitation Project to Moldova, which aims to enhance the welfare of the population living in some of the poorest rural areas and medium-sized towns and cities by improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of water supply and sanitation servicesThe project will (a) rehabilitate and improve operations of selected water and sewerage systems to increase service quality and efficiency; (b) strengthen the Participating Apa Canals to improve sustainability; (c) improve the financial viability and commercial practices of the Participating Apa Canals; (d) involve local entrepreneurs in the project; and (e) rehabilitate water and sanitation services in rural areas.
"The World Bank is extremely pleased with the approval of the Water Supply Project in Moldova. The needs are tremendous. This project will assist the Government National Action Water Plan to provide water and sanitation services for those citizens living in the poorest urban as well as rural parts of the country," says Seema Manghee, the World Bank Task Team Leader of the Project.
The Project has the following four components:
1. The Urban Component of the project will target the cities of Cahul, Orhei, Soroca and Stefan Voda. This component will carry out least cost priority investments that are economically justified based on a broad investment strategy for system improvement and lowering energy and other operating costs, including: (a) rehabilitation of the water distribution systems, including piping and other items generally identified with water distribution systems and leak detection equipment and surveys; (b) provision of equipment and structural rehabilitation of facilities; (c) provision of water measuring equipment; and (d) provision of water supply technical and administrative support systems.
2. The Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component, in line with the National Water Supply Plan, will include training activities of the Participating Apa Canals’ personnel based on a needs assessment to be prepared by the Participating Apa Canals and sector experts. The component will also assess and pilot potential options to facilitate the involvement of local technical operators in the sector.
3. A Technical Assistance Component is also planned for: (i) engineering services and advisors, which will assist the Participating Apa Canals in the planning, design and implementation of programs; engineering services for the preparation of final designs and bidding documents; and technical assistance for procurement and for supervision of construction of the civil works; and (ii) provision of technical assistance and incremental operating costs for Project management, including procurement, financial management and auditing services.
4. The project also envisages a US$1.5 million grant for the Rural Component, which will help rehabilitate water supply and sanitation systems in up to 10 villages. The project will focus the rehabilitation of the existing water supply and sanitation systems, existing wells and selected supplemental wells. A water hygiene and sanitation information program will be a critical part of the village water component.
"We would like to convey our enormous gratitude to the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors for the credit and grant provided to the Republic of Moldova to implemen the National Water Supply and Sanitation Program. We regard this gesture as a substantial step toward poverty reduction; a real step toward the country’s economic growth and sustainable development,"says Gheorghe Duca, Moldovan Minister of Environment, Construction and Territorial Development.
The credit will be disbursed on standard IDA terms and will be repayable in 40 years, including a 10-year grace period. Since Moldova joined the World Bank in 1992, commitments to the country total approximately US$500 million for 15 projects.
For more information about the World Bank's work in Moldova, visit
http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/eca/moldovaweb.nsf
Related News
Moldova – Aids Control Project
Moldova – Trade And Transport Facilitation In Southeast Europe Project
Moldova: World Bank Supports Fighting against AIDS
