Sermo Dam in Indonesia. (Photo: ADB)Jakarta (VNA)– The World Bank (WB) has approved a 125-million-USD financial aid package tosupport the Indonesian government in upgrading dams across the country,reported Jakarta Globe on March 2.
It was estimated thatthe project will benefit about 11 million people living around the sites.
The second phase ofthe Dam Operational Improvement and Safety Project (DOISP) is set for July toDecember 2022.
“The WB’s continuedpartnership with Indonesia to improve dam safety will protect millions ofIndonesians residing around the dams,” WB Country Director for IndonesiaRodrigo Chaves said in a statement on February 28.
The AsianInfrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will co-finance the project with anadditional 125 million USD, while the Indonesian government allocate to it 50million USD.
“The rehabilitationand upgrades of dam facilities and improvement of dam operation and safetymanagement are essential to enhance water security, reduce risks and increasethe use of the limited water resources,” said Marcus Wishart, a senior waterresources management specialist at the WB.
This is the secondproject in Indonesia co-financed by the WB and AIIB. In July last year, the banksupported the National Slum Upgrading Project in the country.
According to thePublic Works and Housing Ministry’s medium term strategic plan, Indonesia plansto build 65 new dams across the country and renovate 46 existing one by2019.-VNA
VNA
