World Bank Supports Urban and Water Development in Cameroon

The World Bank office in Cameroon, represented by Mr. Faustin Koyasse, Acting Country Director and the Government of Cameroon, represented by Mr. Paul Motaze, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development signed a financing agreement for the Urban and Water Development Support Project.

The expected outcomes of the project are to: (i) increase access to infrastructure and services; (ii) strengthen capacity and accountability of local governments, particularly of Douala, Yaoundé, Bamenda, Mbalmayo, and Maroua to plan, implement, and maintain the delivery of infrastructure and services; (iii) strengthen sustainability and capacity to manage and develop water supply services.

The original project had three components which were as follows:

Component 1: Capacity building and support to decentralization (US$4 million)

(i)             Support to the completion of the national urban strategy ;

(ii)            National urban database ;

(iii)        Capacity building ;

(iii)           Preparing and implementation of city development contracts in pilot cities.

 

Component 2: Infrastructure works in low-income settlements (US$40.45 million)

 

(i)             Infrastructure upgrading operations are carried out in the same pilot cities with a view to increase access to basic services ;

(ii)            Selection of neighborhoods is based on population density, existing level of access to services, areas suitable for construction, and presence of
community participation ;

(iii)           Investments include small infrastructure works (primarily roads and drainage) as well as construction or repair of social facilities (such as classrooms
or health centers).

Component 3: Support to the implementation of the public-private partnership in urban water services (US$33 million)

(i)             Capacity Building ;

(ii)            Rehabilitation of urban water facilities ;

(iii)           Expansion of networks and development of access.

The original project development objective remains the same; i.e. to support the Government of Cameroon to increase access of the urban population, particularly those living in low-income settlements to basic infrastructure and services, including water supply.

This additional financing is in the amount of US$28.7 million from IDA Crisis Response Window and has been approved by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors with extension of the closing date of the
original grant from August 31, 2012 to August 31, 2014.

This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform

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