Germany supports road repairs in Attapeu

The Department of Public Works and Transport of Attapeu province on Thursday awarded three contracts for the repair of flood-damaged roads in the province under the Rehabilitation of Infrastructure South Laos project.
The project is financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW Development Bank with a grant of about 114 billion kip (more than US$12 million).
The project supports the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment being implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in Attapeu province, as a result of the floods that occurred during the 2018 rainy season, together with the collapse of the Xe Pian/Xe Nam Noy saddle dam.
The contracts were signed at the Department of Public Works and Transport in Attapeu province by the Project Manager of the Department of Roads, Mr Vongdeuane Syphanlavong, together with directors from the respective contractors.
The roads to be repaired are as follows: 9041 in Sanamxay district, with a length of 14.2km, from National Road 18A at Ban Khokkong to Ban Hinlat at the Xe Pian River; 9002 in Samakkhixai and Xaysettha districts, from National Road 18B to Ban Hadsati, with a length 23.1km, including five bridges; and 9002/9217 in Xaysettha and Sanxay districts, from Ban Sakhae to Muang Sanxay with a length of 26.3km.
The purpose of the project is to “provide the flood-affected rural population with climate-resilient access to markets, schools, health stations and other social infrastructure”. This is to “contribute to an economic and social recovery and sustainable positive economic development of the rural population”.
The total population of the seven villages in the influence areas of the three project roads is about 12,500, and the rehabilitation will provide all-year accessibility on sealed roads. This should increase traffic, as well as significantly reduce travel time and vehicle operating costs for road users.
The medium- to long-term development impacts are expected to result in a rise in market-oriented agricultural production and retail shops, together with an increase in the availability of electricity in the target areas.
Improved access should also see an uptake in school attendance, the number and use of hygienic latrines, the frequency of visits to and birth deliveries at health centres, and an increase in women’s development projects.
Construction will begin in early December, with a completion period of 18 months for each contract.
In addition to the road repaairs, a separate budget of about 12 billion kip has been reserved to implement accompanying rural infrastructure along the rehabilitated road corridors.
This can cover a variety of infrastructure, such as schools, footpaths or foot bridges, water supply, small irrigation schemes or water storage tanks, small community foresting or agricultural development, among others.
These measures are aimed to extend the benefits to a wider population. Studies are under way to identify suitable candidate measures for further consideration. The government of Germany has been a long-standing partner in rural development with Laos and has provided more than US$72 million through KfW Development Bank to improve roads and other rural infrastructure in the country since 2004. 

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 1, 2020)