Madagascar is set to receive US $72m grant from the European Union and European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance a major drinking water project in the capital, Tananarive.
The project dubbed Jirama Water III project aims to improve access to drinking water and the quality and efficiency of the service. The agreement was signed between Richard Randriamandrato, the Malagasy Finance Minister, and Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
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Jirama Water III project
The project will see construction of five reservoirs: one of 3000 cubic metres at Ambohitrimanjaka and four of 1000 cubic metres at Mahatazana, Alasora, Ambohimanambola and Ambohibe. It will also enable the laying of 135 km of new primary and secondary pipelines throughout Greater Tananarive (town and urban area), mainly in the outlying areas. In the central districts of the Malagasy capital, at least 44 km of degraded pipelines will be built.
The population will be supplied with water through 400 standpipes that will be built in the suburbs of Tananarive. Jirama will also make 500 domestic connections to the drinking water distribution network.
Under the project, rehabilitation and extension of the Mandroseza 1 drinking water station with the replacement of hydraulic equipment will also be done. This will include, creation of a new reagent room and new pumps for drawing water from the Ikopa. Rehabilitation of Mandroseza II and II bis drinking water stations will follow with the construction of a new treatment unit (40,000 m³) per day.
The EIB will provide US $39m while European Commission, US $33m. Part of the funds will be earmarked for technical assistance for the project. According to EIB, the project will contribute to five of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely drinking water and sanitation, poverty eradication, good health and well-being, gender equality and sustainable cities and communities.
What about the poor Power Suppliers who are owed millions of dollars by the incompetent management of Jirama. It is a disgrace, I wouldnt give this organisation another dime until they sacked every single manager and senior executive