ADB approves second tranche of funds for water and sanitation projects in Pakistan

The Philippines-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Pakistan have signed an agreement for the second tranche of funds for the Sindh Cities Improvement Investment Programme (SCIIP).

ADB’s second tranche of $99.1m will be used to improve water supply, sanitation and solid waste management facilities in Sindh province, as part of the SCIIP 2 programme.

The total funding for SCIIP 2 is $139.8m, of which ADB will provide $99.1m through two loans.

The first loan of $74m will be provided from ADB’s special funds resource, while the second loan of $25.1m will come from the bank’s ordinary capital resources.

Pakistan will provide the remaining $40.7m to execute the SCIIP 2 work.

The approved funds are expected to provide urban utility services to more than six million residents in eight Sindh cities, Jacobabad, Gothki, Khairpur, Larkana, New Sukkur, Rohri, Shikarpur and Sukkur.

With a growing population, the cities are facing a dearth of reliable urban infrastructure, thereby holding back health and hygiene development while restricting economic growth and livelihood opportunities.

ADB Pakistan country director Werner E Liepach said under tranche one of the SCIIP project, work was initiated to improve urban services and the quality of life in the eight cities.

"The project will build on the gains made under tranche one that has successfully introduced local government owned and professionally managed independent urban utility company to address the mounting water supply and sanitation challenges," Liepach added.

"The project will promote increased citizen participation and support for sustainability and efficiency of the urban services."

The North Sindh Urban Services and the Planning and Development Department will implement the project over the next four years.

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Image: Asian Development Bank headquarters in Metro Manila, Philippines. Photo: Courtesy of Eugene Alvin Villar (seav).