EU, EIB to finance Jirama Water III project in Madagascar
Madagascar is set to receive a $72 million grant from the European Union and European Investment Bank to finance a major drinking water project in the capital, Tananarive.
The project, dubbed Jirama Water III, aims to improve access to drinking water and increase the quality and efficiency of the service. The EIB will provide $39 million, while European Commission will provide $33 million. Part of the funds will be earmarked for technical assistance for the project.
The project will see construction of five reservoirs: one of 3,000 cubic metres at Ambohitrimanjaka and four of 1,000 cubic metres at Mahatazana, Alasora, Ambohimanambola and Ambohibe. It will also enable the laying of 135km of new primary and secondary pipelines throughout Greater Tananarive (town and urban area), mainly in the outlying areas. In the central districts of the Malagasy capital, at least 44km of degraded pipelines will be built.
The Mandroseza 1 drinking water station will also be rehabilitated and extended with the replacement of hydraulic equipment. This will include the creation of a new reagent room and new pumps for drawing water from the Ikopa.
The population will be supplied with water through 400 standpipes that will be built in the suburbs of Tananarive. Jirama will also make 500 domestic connections to the drinking water distribution network.
The EIB says the project will contribute to five of the Sustainable Development Goals, namely drinking water and sanitation, poverty eradication, good health and well-being, gender equality and sustainable cities and communities.
