Water project launched in Mali

Bamako, Mali (PANA) - A project to provide potable water to Mali's Sikasso region has been inaugurated in Loulouni, 480 km south of Bamako.

Minister of Energy and Water Mamadou Diarra launched the project, which is being funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the tune of 4.4 billion CFA francs.

Through the project, 150 boreholes with hand pumps, five water supply facilities and 42 fountains have been provided in several villages in the Sikasso region.

The facilities will benefit over 80,000 inhabitants.

The funding of the project brings Japanese overall investment in Mali, in the provision of in drinking water, to F CFA 23.5 billion between 1995 and 2010.

This investment has made it possible to complete more than 1000 boreholes with hand pumps and drinking water supply facilities in some localities of Mali, particularly in the regions of Kayes (west), Koulikoro (north west), Sikasso (south ) Segou (centre), Mopti (north) and the District of Bamako.
-0- PANA WG/JSG/JEN/SEG 10March2011