Announcement of a World Bank Loan to Morocco for the Fifth Water Supply Project on November 23, 1993

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. *Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 94/29 MENA CONTACT: JEANNIE YAMINE (202)473-2318 MOROCCO: FIFTH WATER SUPPLY PROJECT The following is information on a project approved by the World Bank's Board. DATE: November 23, 1993 WORLD BANK GROUP SUPPORT: World Bank loan for $160 million equivalent, for 20 years with five years grace, at the Bank's standard interest rate. TOTAL PROJECT COST: $353.6 million OTHER PROPOSED FINANCING: Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund of Japan (OECF) and African Development Bank (ADB), $84 million; the Government of Morocco, $6.5 million; Regie Autonome Intercommunale de Distribution d'Eau et d'Electricite de Casablanca (RAD), $25 million; Regie Autonome Intercommunale de Distribution d'Eau et d'Electricite de Fes (RADEEF), $4.6 million; Regie Autonome Intercommunale de Distribution d'Eau et d'Electricite de Meknes (RADEEM), $1.9 million; Regie Autonome Intercommunale de Distribution d'Eau et d'Electricite de Marrakech, $7.9 million; Regie Autonome Intercommunale de Distribution d'Eau et d'Electricite de Kenitra, $2.1 million; Regie Autonome Intercommunale de Distribution d'Eau et d'Electricite de Rabat-Sale (RED), $18 million; Office National de l'Eau Potable (ONEP), $43.6 million. IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES: RAD, RADEEF, RADEEM, RADEEMA, RAD, RED, ONEP, AND 4 ministerial departments, including the Epidemiology and Sanitation Program Directorate, the Hydraulic Administration, the National Meteorology Directorate, and the Water and Sanitation Directorate. DESCRIPTION: The project's objectives are to assist the government in developing a long-term policy on institution-building and cost recovery of water service while addressing the needs of the poorest population groups by improving water supply services in urban and rural areas. The project will provide institutional, operational, and financial assistance to restructure the Regies, strengthen ONEP, and transfer operation and maintenance of rural water supply systems to local communities. Project components therefore include a) rehabilitation and expansion of urban water supply system operated by the six Regies, b) rehabilitation and expansion of 18 semi-urban water supply systems and 7 water production facilities operated by ONEP, c) meteorological data-gathering equipment, d) a poverty alleviation component comprising provision of equipment, technical assistance, and training for sanitary education campaigns, water quality control, and disinfection of water in rural areas.