ADB, Nauru sign $5m grant to expand, improve water, waste management services
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, 31 August, 2021
ADB, Nauru sign $5m grant to
expand, improve water, waste management services
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Nauru
signed a $5 million grant to help fund the preparation of an
ADB-supported project for boosting urban services in Nauru, today,
31 August.
Nauru's Minister for Finance and ADB Governor Martin Hunt and
ADB Pacific Department Director General Leah Gutierrez signed the
grant agreement, which will partly fund the assessment, planning,
and capacity building needed to implement the proposed Nauru
Sustainable Urban Development Project.
"Growth in Nauru's urban areas puts stress on essential
services, including water supply and sanitation," Minister Hunt
said.
"There is a critical need for this urban project, preparation is
key, and we appreciate ADB's support in planning and developing
it."
The proposed $20 million project will increase access to and
improve the quality and safety of essential urban services for
about 2,150 households on the island.
Nauru does not have centralised piped water. All houses have
water tanks and rely either on rain water or desalinated water from
Nauru Utilities; while groundwater is not potable.
"The public health and well-being of people in Nauru depends on
having better access to safe water, sanitation, and effective solid
waste management," Ms Gutierrez said.
"ADB is supporting the Government of Nauru in the planning of
this urban project, which will also focus on improved resilience
and sustainability, particularly in the face of climate change and
exposure to natural disasters."
The Department of Climate Change and National
Resilience, as the implementing agency, will work with ADB
while the Department of Commerce, Industry and Environment (CIE) is
mandated to oversee sanitation projects.
ADB will use its project readiness facility to fast-track
project-developing engineering designs and procurement plans. The
ADB project team will also develop policies and capacities to
manage the new urban facilities and deliver improved services.
The $5 million grant is sourced from ADB's Asian Development
Fund. The Government of Nauru is contributing $210,000.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive,
resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining
its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it
is owned by 68 members - 49 from the region.
ENDS///