Azerbaijan, Baku, 24 April / Trend, I. Khalilova /
The World Bank (WB) has extended the timing of the first project, the "National Water Supply and Sanitation Project of Azerbaijan" until the end of 2014, the Baku office of the bank told Trend on Wednesday.
"As part of the restructuring, it was decided to prolong the life of the first project until the completion of the bank's second water project in the country. At present, the bank is also awaiting an official request from the government of Azerbaijan for the provision of additional funding, as there is a shortage of financial resources for the project," the office said.
A source in the government said the appeal for additional funding in the amount of over $100 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the IBRD is part of the WB) has already been made.
The first World Bank water project covers the complete restoration of the water supply and sewerage system in the Shamakhi, Gabala, Saatli and Sabirabad regions. As a result of changing the design of the project, the need for additional resources was revealed for the last three regions.
Additional funding is required to repair the waste water runoff facilities and construct a water pipe beginning from the Kura treatment plant which will provide the Qabala, Saatli and Sabirabad regions with drinking water. The country's water operator has already announced a tender for the construction of a water main from the Kura complex of water treatment facilities in the Hajigabul region to the Sabirabad and Saatly regions.
The WB allocated $230 million for the first water project at a total cost of $310 million. The government allocated $80 million to finance the project. Initially, the project included 22 regions, but their number was reduced to four as a result of the overhaul.