Contacts
In Washington: Herbert Boh (202) 473-3548 hboh@worldbank.org In Kinshasa: Louise M. Engulu (243) 994 9015
lengulu@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, December 18, 2007 – The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group today approved the second additional financing grant of US$12 million from the International Development Association (IDA) for the ongoing Emergency Multi-sector Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Project (EMRRP). The initial EMRRP - approved by the Board in August 2002 - aims to assist the DR Congo to: (i) reconstruct and rehabilitate critical infrastructure; (ii) start rebuilding agricultural production and enhance food security; (iii) restore essential social services and build community infrastructure; and (iv) strengthen the capacity of government to formulate, implement, and manage medium and long-term development programs. A first additional grant, approved in November 2005, filled the US$125 million shortfall in IDA funding resulting from the initial IDA allocation to the Project. The additional grant approved Tuesday by the Board will help cover cost overruns that have occurred during implementation in electricity sector and project execution contracts. It will help meet immediate, short-term needs for repairs and thereby improve power service delivery. The grant would hence support the urgent rehabilitation of key electricity sector infrastructure, as well as fund project execution and supervision across the infrastructure component of the EMRRP to ensure that activities are completed by the Project closing date. No new activities are envisaged under this grant. "This new support to the electricity sector is really important. It will improve the quality of one of the crucial priorities of the Congolese population,” saidAbdelmoula Ghzala, the World Bank’s Task Team Leader for theproject. In line with the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for DR Congo also discussed the same day by the Board, the operation funded by the grant will act as a bridge between the post-conflict emergency phase of engagement in the infrastructure sector in DR Congo and a strategic, longer-term approach, illustrated by the US$297 million Regional and Domestic Power Project approved by the Board in May 2007. In approving additional funding, the Board expressed satisfaction that the DR Congo Regional and Domestic Power Project builds on the achievements of the EMRRP project. The Board also pointed out that rehabilitating basic infrastructure, notably electricity service, is critical to DR Congo’s recovery following the country’s prolonged conflict. ### For more information on the World Bank’s work in Africa visit www.worldbank.org/afr For more information on the World Bank’s work in the Democratic Republic of Congo visit: www.worldbank.org/drc |
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