Baku, Azerbaijan, March 3
By Ilaha Khalilova - Trend:
A list of regions is not planned to be expanded as part of the WB additional funding for the second project of 'National Water Supply and Sewerage Services' in Azerbaijan.
Loan funds will be directed to the full restoration of the water supply and sewerage services in eight regions of the country, namely Siyazan , Shabran , Agsu, Ismayilli, Masalli , Lerik , Yardimli and Jalilabad, the WB office in Baku told Trend on March 1.
"Currently, the Azerbaijani government and WB are continuing with consultations to deliver additional funding for this project to the sum of $140-150 million," the office said. The bank received a request from the country's government for $100 million for the project.
The project will be submitted to the WB Board of Directors by late May, Head of the WB office in Baku Larisa Leshchenko said earlier.
Initially, the WB allocated $230 million through IBRD and $30 million through IDA at a total cost of $410 million for the implementation of this water project. The government's share in the project is $150 million.
The project began in 2008. Initially it covered 21 regions, but as a result of the restructuring, that number dropped to eight. The operation's completion date was extended from February 28, 2013, as was previously stated, until December 31, 2014, as part of the second phase of restructuring. It is possible that the duration of the project will be extended again as part of additional financing.
The Melioration and Water Management joint stock company is an executor of the project.
Azerbaijan has been a WB member since 1992. The bank's total liabilities to the country on 54 projects during this period amounted to more than $3 billion. The first WB water project worth $310 million with a WB loan worth $230 million, includes full restoration of the water supply and sewerage system in the Shamakhi , Gabala , Saatli and Sabirabad regions. Project executor Azersu also requested additional funding from the bank for its implementation.
Translated by NH
Edited by SM