Announcement of IDA Approves Fifteen Million Dollars for Irrigation in Niger on October 6, 1978

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE • World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 IDA NEWS RELEASE NO. 79/16 OCTOBER J, 1978 IDA APPROVES $15 MILLION FOR IRRIGATION IN NIGER The International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's affiliate for concessional lending to least developed countries, has approved a $15 million credit for an irrigation project in Niger. The project aims at assisting the Government in expanding cereal and vegetable production along the Niger River, and at creating an appropriate structure for the development of its irrigation program. In addition, the project will provide the means for a better uti 1ization of the local livestock resources, and permit the introduction of modern agricultural technology, including the use of improved methods on the • rainfed holdings of the project participants. Some 30,000 people will benefit from the project. Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (Federal Republic of Germany) is providing co-financing amounting to $6 million to the project. The $15 million IDA credit to the Republic of Niger will be for 50 years, including 10 years of grace. It will be interest free but will carry a service charge of 3/4 of 1% per annum to cover IDA's administrative expenses. NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents • • FORM NO. 1121 (5-76) T E C HN I CA L D A T A • PROJECT: I rri gat ion COUNTRY: Niger TOTAL COST: $2 1 mi 1·1 i on IDA FINANCING: $15 million, standard IDA terms OTHER FINANCING: Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW), $6.0 million IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Office National des Amenagements Hydroagricoles (ONAHA) Ministere du Developpement Rural Niamey Republique du Niger PROJECT DESCRIPTION: It will finance: construction of the irrigation scheme of the Namarigoungou polder (l ,550 ha); provision of administra- tion and financial services through the Office National des Amenagements Hydroagricoles (ONAHA); provision of agricultural development services to participating farmers on this polder and to farmers established on neighboring irrigation schemes; provision of health services; training programs for farmers in modern agricultural techniques;and prepara·· of a feasibility study for a nearby polder. Finally, the project will also finance ·t services of a financial coordinator, attached to the Ministry of Rural Development, to assist in accounting and financial management of the various !DA-financed agricultural projects in Niger. PROCU.REMENT: Contracts for equipment, vehicles, the power line from Tillabery to Namarigoungou, supplies for construction, and agri- cultural equipment and inputs with a value of more than $50,000 will be tendered through international competitive bidding (ICB), in accordance with the Association guidelines. Procurement costs are estimated at $4 million. Contracts of less than $50,000, and construction of the civil works for the Namarigoungou pumping stations, houses, storage areas, and offices, which are too small to attract foreign contractors, will be procured on the basis of competitive local bidding, in accordance with local procedures satisfactory to the Association. Construction of the irrigation works with a total value of $8. 1 million, will be carried out by force account. ECONOMIC RATE OF RETURN: 12.5% ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 1982 - 0 - ••