In the Gambia, the fourth phase of the Rural Drinking Water Supply Project can begin. On the 27th of July 2020, the government of this West African country signed a financing agreement with Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Gambia thus benefits from a grant of about 15 million dollars (770 million Gambian dalasis).
The funds will be used to finance the construction of 20 boreholes powered by solar energy. These facilities are expected to provide drinking water to more than 50,000 people in rural areas of The Gambia.
The Rural Drinking Water Supply Project was launched by the Government of The Gambia in 2019. Its overall objective is to improve drinking water supply and sanitation in remote localities. The objective is in line with the National Development Plan 2018-2021 put in place by the Government of The Gambia.
According to the Gambian authorities, the start of construction work on the construction of solar-powered drinking water facilities is imminent. It is expected to take 30 months, including five months for the detailed design, four months for the tendering and procurement procedures, and 21 months for the procurement and implementation of the actual works.
Inès Magoum