Announcement of Niger, Technical Assistance for Road Maintenance Study on August 24, 1965

\ HOl-,D FOR RELE;:ASE U\JT.ERNi\TJONAL BAI\Jr( FC)R • oi::·roi\ l i ~ STRl 1 · =J«c-. 'T'"" '\.l··-, '"-,"'"'-" ! I t\! .f\N r-, ! t: v ~L.. op·· rup- i=,\!J=I '{j ~d I,, vd::. ~P 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 For Release SUBJECT: NIGER -- Technical Assistance August 24, 1965 for Road Maintenance Study The World Bank has agreed to help organize and finance a study aimed a.t preparing a road maintenance program for Niger. The Bank will pay the foreign exchange1 costs, estimated at $84,ooo, while the Government of the Republic of Niger will meet the local currency costs. The Government plans to engage the French firm Bureau Central d' Etudes pour les Equipements d' Outre-Mer to undertake the study. There is an urgent need for adequate maintenance of roa.ds throughout the country. Niger's national road network comprises some 2,900 miles, • of which about half have laterite surface; the remainder are earth roads, many ungraded. A credit of $1.5 million, extended in June 1964 by the Bank's affiliate, the International Development Association, is assisting the construction of a 2'1-mile laterite-surfaced road near the Nigerian border to carry groundnuts and other produce for exports. The credit is also financing the improvement oi a 22-mile earth road from. Damthia.o to Dunga.ss. The consultants will study the requirements for an adequa.te maintenance organization. Tpey will prepare a priority list of maintenance equipment, spare parts and workshop facilities, recommend measures for the recruitment and training of technical personnel, a.nd make a study of annual maintenance funds required over the next four yearsforroutine and deferred maintenance. • The study is expected to be completed within 10 months •