Announcement of Benin to Receive IDA Credit for Water and Sanitation Improvements on June 29, 1981

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ~orld·Bank 1818 H \lH'H '-..\V .. Wc1~hin~ton. D.C. 2043 3, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 IDA NEWS RELEASE NO. 81/111 June 29, 1981 BEN"IN TO RECEIVE IDA CREDIT FOR WATER AND SANITATION IMPROVEMENTS The International Development Association (IDA) has approved a credit of SOR 4. l mil 1 ion ($5 mil 1 ion) to the People's Republic of Benin for a project to improve water supply, sanitation, and urban planning in Cotonou, the coun- try's largest city. IDA is the World Bank's affi 1 iate for concessionary lending. Funds from the IDA credit will help finance urgently needed works in Cotonou, ~eluding the construction of four additional wells to inciease the city's water supply; the rehabilitation and extension of the water distribution system into lov-1- income areas of Cotonou, including 82 kilometers of pipeline, 30 standpipes, and 17 fire hydrants; and drainage works in areas subject to frequent flooding. The purchase of vehicles and equipment for sanitation ser- vices i~ also included. Studies will be carried out under the project to examine inexpensive, long-term solutions to Cotonou's problems with water, sanitation, and urban • planning. These studies wi 11 include the preparation of master plans for ,..,ater supply, drainage, and sanitation; aerial photography and maps of the Cotonou region; the formul'ation of an urban investme.ntyrogram; a water and sanitation study; and financ.ial analysis of the Societe Beninoise d'Eau et d'Electricite (SBEE), a national utility company. The project also includes plans for a health education program aimed at encouraging better water use and sanitation practices, as well as a training program for the professional staff of SBEE. The improvements in water distribution and sanitation brought about by the project are expected to increase public health standards by providing water and waste disposal facilities to areas of Cotonou not yet served and by preventing floods of polluted storm water in many neighborhoods. The IDA credit is for 50 years, including 10 years of grace, and is in- terest-free, except for a service charge of 3/4 of 1% per annum to cover IDA's administrative costs. The credit will be committed when funds are available. NOTE: IDA credits are denominated in SDRs (Special Drawing Rights), which are valued on the basis of a 11 basket" of currencies. The U.S. dollar equivalent of th~ SOR amount of the IDA credit reflects the exchange rate existing at the time of negotiation of the credit. FORM NO. 1121 (5-76) T E CH N I CA L D A T A PROJ EC'T: COUNTRY: TOTAL COST: Cotonou Water-Sanitation Engineering Benin $6 . 3 mi 11 i on ••• I DA FI NANC I NG : SOR 4.1 million ($5 million), standard IDA terms OTHER FINANCING: Societe B;ninoise d'Eau et de l'Electricite', $950,000 Government of Benin, $350,000 IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Soci{te Beninoise d'Eau et de 1 'Electricite (SBEE) B.P. 123 Cotonou, Benin PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project includes studies for the preparation of master plans for water supply, sanitation, and urban development; the review of existing tariff and accounting systems with recommenda- tions for improvement; a training program for staff of the Societe Beninoise d'Eau et d'Electricite; and detailed design and bidding documents for a fi ··st stage con- struction program to be carried out under a possible future project. Works under • the project will include four additional wells to increase water supply in Cotonou; the extension by about 82 kilometers of the water distribution system to low-income areas; improvement of drainage in some areas of Cotonou; and strengthening of solid waste collection and sanitation services. PROCUREMENT: Supplies for the four wells and the 82 kilometers of water distribution system will be subject to inter- national competitive bidding in accordance with IDA guidelines. Vehicles will be purchased on the basis of quotations from at least three suppliers, local or foreign. Civil works will be carried out by SBEE and by the Cotonou Municipal Roads Department. CONSULTANTS: A total of about 190 man-months of consultant serv- ices will be required for studies under the project. ECONOMIC RATE OF RETURN: n.a. ESTiMATED COMPLETION DATE: 1984 - 0 -