Contacts In Washington: Herbert Boh (202) 473-3548; hboh@worldbank.org In Bujumbura: Marie-Claire Nzeyimana (257-22) 20 6200 mnzeyimana@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, May 13, 2008 – The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$50 million equivalent (SDR30.4 million) International Development Association (IDA) grant to the Government of Burundi for urgently needed power and water supply. The Multi-Sectoral Water and Electricity Infrastructure Project will increase people’s access to water in peri-urban areas of Bujumbura and improve the quality and reliability of water services in the Bujumbura region. The project will also increase reliability and quality of electricity services and strengthen the operational and financial condition of REGIDESO, the combined water and electricity utility. “The project has been designed to provide a balance between immediate needs and medium- to long-term planning,” said World Bank Lead Water and Sanitation SpecialistVentura Bengoechea. “It addresses the urgent need to fill the current gaps between supply and demand in both electricity and water supply, while supporting strategic planning activities, and strengthening the technical, operational and financial capacity of the utility and key sector institutions.” Burundi faces severe constraints in electricity supply. The impact of the ensuing power cuts is one of the country’s major hurdles to economic growth. The project will assist in the rehabilitation of Burundi’s primary power grid and the establishments of a number of demand management measures aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing losses. The project will also finance feasibility studies for small hydro power plants and will partially finance on a declining basis the operation and maintenance of the existing thermal generation plant. Burundi’s water sector infrastructure suffered much destruction during the years of civil conflict. Water supply and distribution facilities and networks were targeted by acts of sabotage in several urban centers and particularly in Bujumbura. The project will expand the water treatment capacity and reinforce the primary distribution network in the northern part of Bujumbura. This will allow for the extension of the secondary distribution networks to provide access to water to over 100,000 people in peri-urban zones located north and east of Bujumbura – Buterere, Kamenge, Kinama, Gihosha, and Musaga – areas characterized by deep poverty and a high proportion of displaced and resettled people. The project will also provide technical assistance for the reduction of technical and commercial losses in the system, which will benefit other areas of Bujumbura as well. The project was prepared in coordination with the African Development Bank, which is implementing complementary programs in both the electricity and water sectors, and with other donors that include the German Government in the water sector and the Governments of China and the Netherlands in the electricity sector. ### For more information, please visit For more information on the World Bank’s activities in sub-Saharan Africa visit: http://www.worldbank.org/afr For more information on the World Bank’s activities in Burundi visit: http://www.worldbank.org/burundi For more information about this project visit: http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main?pagePK=64283627&piPK=73230&theSitePK=343751&menuPK=343785&Projectid=P097974 |
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