Water supply department riding wave of international cooperation

The Department of Water Supply under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is targeting an expansion of projects across the country this year after racking up achievements in the sector during 2019.
To achieve its goal to develop provincial water supply and sanitation systems, the department will continue to partner with international organisations.
This includes utilising a loan of about US$44 million from the Economic Cooperation Fund (Republic of Korea) and US$28.3 million in finance from the Asian Development Bank.
Additional assistance will come via grant aid from the European Commission’s Asia Investment Facility (AIF) with US$3 million, 150,000 euro from EMO, and US$5 million from UN-Habitat.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also supported the development and construction of water supply projects in the capital and in Luang Prabang and Khammuan provinces.
Water supply work this year will comprise the construction and repair of pipes and distribution system in Kham district, Xieng Khuang province.
It follows projects to construct water systems in Chomphet and Pakxaeng districts of Luang Prabang province as well as Bounneua district in Phongsaly province.
Other plans for the department this year include sourcing funding for a sanitation project in Pakxe, Champassak province, following similar programmes in other provinces.
Last year, the Department of Water Supply handed over a completed project in Nakai district, Khammuan province which was funded by the Lao government. It also finished a water system in Anouvong district, Xaysomboun province.
The work programme is being undertaken as part of the department’s 10-year water and sanitation sector strategy (2016-2025) and five-year sanitation plan (2016-2020).

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update January 17, 2020)