18 May 2017

Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mr Kenneth Matambo, on behalf of Botswana government signed a loan agreement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Botswana Emergency Water Security and Efficiency Project.

Speaking at the loan signing agreement recently, Minister Matambo said The World Bank had approved a loan amounting to P1.5billion for part financing the project which was estimated at P1.6 billion.

“Botswana government will contribute the balance of US$15.5 million (over P159.7m) from its domestic resources. Specifically the loan will finance measures to rehabilitate, augment and upgrade water supply and wastewater or sludge treatment schemes, and improve the operational efficiency of Water Utilities Corporation (WUC),” said Mr Matambo.

He said the project aimed at improving access to water for around 460 000 people mostly in drought affected areas and about 177 000 people would benefit from improved wastewater treatment and sludge management systems.

The minister highlighted that through its support to policy and regulatory reforms in the water sector, the project was expected to contribute to the strengthening of the country’s resilience to drought conditions and the achievement of water security in the medium and long term.

“The project will thus contribute to reducing vulnerability of drought affected communities, improve economic opportunity and contribute to sustainable livelihoods and better quality life of Botswana’s population. The project is aligned to one of the key three strategic areas of engagement for World Bank support under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) FY 2016-2020, approved by the bank’s board in November 2015, one of its objectives being improving efficiency and sustainability of water supply and sanitation services,” he said.

Mr Matambo noted that NDP 11  was aimed at investing considerable resources towards ensuring water security.

For his part the vice president of The World Bank responsible for Africa region Mr Makhtar Diop said his organisation would pull all efforts to make the project a success. ENDS