ADB funds post tsunami utility connections

COLOMBO: The Asian Development Bank approved the provision of assistance on a grant basis from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR9077-SRI) to the Government of Sri Lanka for implementation of the Post Tsunami Utility Connections Project.

This project intends to improve the quality of life of poor households affected by tsunami, by giving them access to electricity and water, and make the poor more aware of the use of utility connections. Selected NGOs as Project implementing partners are now being engaged for selection of tsunami affected poor households from Galle, Matara, and Ampara Districts in accordance with the guidelines stipulated in the project document approved by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka.

The objective of the Project is to provide tsunami affected poor households with electricity and water supply connections for reconstructed houses. This Project targets the poorest of the affected people who do not have utility connections and contribute toward improving their living conditions. This Project will cover four of the tsunami affected districts, Galle and Matara from the Southern province and Ampara and Batticaloa from the North East province. During the project period it is planned to provide 8,000 water and electricity connections.

A public awareness campaign also will be carried out to educate the selected poor households for sustainable use of power and water.

The grant finance shall be Rs. 40,000 per household being Rs. 20,000 for each supply connection, (water and electricity). The allocation will cover the cost of connection charges, internal wiring and laying charges of the pipes. The Asian Development Bank has established a Project Management Unit (PMU) for the implementation of the project and plan to complete the project before November 2006.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS & DB) are the executing agencies of respective utility connections. CEB and NWS&DB are responsible for ensuring technical compliance and standard of utility connections.

District secretaries and Divisional secretaries will recommend selection of poor households deserving for the grant assistance.

Tsunami affected poor people who have reconstructed their houses under the owner driven housing program implemented by the government will directly benefit from the project.