Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend I.Khalilova / The World Bank is launching the development of a project on ecological rehabilitation of oil polluted areas in the Absheron peninsular and will send its mission, led by Anu Daskup, to Baku from 11 - 15 September, the WB Baku Office stated on 3 September.
The Government said that some proposals have been sent to the bank to commence the development of the project. "The treatment of oil polluted areas has not been carried out as yet, but as of preliminary data, it is dealt with the allocation of $60-70mln by the bank," a well-informed source at the Government said.
WB is able to allocate minor credit, as technical assistance can be provided in this direction. Under the program the Government will allot minor financing through budget funds. Furthermore, income obtained from the sale of oil from the polluted areas can be directed towards covering further expenses.
According to the approximate data, scales of pollution in Azerbaijan range from 10,000h to 30,000h. Azerbaijan differs from other countries, where treatment work has been carried out, for high concentration of oil pollution in a small area. Within the framework of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), leading ecology standards are observed and current pollution does not occur. These are returns accumulated over many centuries and hundreds of millions of dollars are required for their treatment, the WB experts said.