Contacts In Washington: Anca Cristina Dumitrescu: +1 202 458 97 54 adumitrescu@worldbank.org In Niamey: Ibrahim Cheick Diop 227-20-735616 idiop@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, April 29 – The World Bank Board of Directors today approved an International Development Association (IDA) grant of US$30 million equivalent in support to the Government of Niger’s National Transport Strategy. The project development objectives are to: (i) improve the physical access of rural population to markets and services on selected unpaved sections of the national road network, and (ii) strengthen the institutional framework, management and implementation of road maintenance in Niger. The project will contribute to the overarching growth acceleration objective of Niger’s Poverty Reduction Strategy by improving the core road infrastructure which is the backbone of the country’s access to world markets. It will also directly contribute to the National Road Transport Strategy objectives of supporting Niger’s economic development and developing access to basic social services for the poorest. These objectives are consistent with the West African Economic and Monetary Union regional economic program and the New Economic Partnership for Africa’s Development strategy. With a population estimated at 14.4 million in 2006, Niger is a vast land-locked country, with a total land area of 1.267 million square kilometers and a predominantly rural population located mostly in the southern fifth of the country. Road transportation is by far the predominant transport mode in Niger and has subsequently benefited from the largest budget share in Niger’s transport sector in the last decades. The government is subsequently facing substantial road maintenance needs and it is clear that Niger cannot maintain its road network without large-scale financial assistance, not only for investments and periodic maintenance but also for the current expenditures of routine road maintenance The project includes the two following major components: A. Periodic maintenance and spot rehabilitation of unpaved roads Component A (US$24..9 million): this component consists of civil works on selected road sections of the southwestern and southern densely populated rural areas, consultants’ supervision and other services directly related to civil works that aim at improving access to markets and services and help achieve the first project development objective. B. Institutional support to the main transport sector players through provision of capacity building and assistance in management and execution of road maintenance activities (US$5.1 million): this component will help achieve the second project development objective through support to the implementation of Niger’s Transport Sector Program. Furthermore, it is meant to leverage Component A by improving the management and sustainability of road maintenance. The specific activities will continue and complete the technical assistance program financed by the European Union’s 9th European Development Fund (EDF) in 2007-2008. ### For more information on the World Bank in sub-Saharan Africa visit: www.worldbank.org/afr For more information on the World Bank in Niger visit: www.worldbank.org/niger For more information about this project visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=382450&menuPK=382484&Projectid=P101434 |
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