Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.19
By Azad Hasanli - Trend:
The World Bank (WB) is ready to provide additional financing in the amount of $130 million for the continuation of the First National Water Supply and Sanitation Project of Azerbaijan, the Baku office of the bank told Trend Feb.19.
It is reported that the credit resources will be allocated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, a part of the WB group).
The World Bank project covers the complete restoration of the water supply and sewerage system in the Shamakhi, Gabala, Saatli and Sabirabad districts. 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 districts 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 district to the Sabirabad and Saatly districts.
The WB allocated $230 million for the first water project at a total cost of $310 million in 2007. The government allocated $80 million to finance the project. Initially, the project included 22 districts, but their number was reduced to four as a result of the overhaul.
It is reported that the project implementation period [after its extension] expired at the end of 2014.
In 2014, the bank approved Additional Financing for three projects: the Second National Water Supply and Sanitation Project (NWSSP 2) in the amount of $150 million, as well as $100 million and $50 million for the implementation of the Judicial Services and Smart Infrastructure Project (JSSIP), and Azerbaijan Rural Investment (AzRIP) projects, respectively.
Azerbaijan is a member of the World Bank since 1992. The amount of loan agreements signed between Azerbaijan and the World Bank accounts for $4.086 billion.
At present, the World Bank's current portfolio in Azerbaijan is about $ 2.7 billion.
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