Addis Ababa:The World Bank has announced its intention to strengthen its support for development projects carried out by Ethiopia's Ministry of Water and Energy. This announcement was made during a meeting with the Minister of Water and Energy, His Excellency Habtamu Ittefa (Dr. E/R), who met with representatives of the World Bank at his office.
According to Ministry of Water and Energy, the meeting was attended by State Minister of Water and Energy Aklilu Adagn (E/R) and State Minister of Water and Energy Dr. Engineer Dinku Seyoum. Minister Habtamu Itefa expressed satisfaction with the effectiveness of Ethiopia's collaboration with the World Bank, citing the success of the One WASH program as a model for other countries. He emphasized the importance of strong governmental monitoring in utilizing the budget effectively.
World Bank Team Leader Julian Victor congratulated Minister Habtamu Ittefa on his re-appointment and noted the progress of various collaborative projects, including the National WASH Program and other sanitation initiatives. He highlighted the mobilization of additional funds from the World Bank's $300 million, benefiting over 10 million people with access to clean drinking water and sanitation. However, Victor acknowledged some project delays and suggested extending certain programs and improving procurement and compensation processes.
The discussions also addressed the completion of sewage sludge treatment projects in cities, with a goal to finish 14 treatment plants by June. Improvements in procurement and contract management were noted, with recommendations to align physical work performance with financial costs and expedite processes such as pump tests and payment approvals.
The meeting concluded with an agreement between the World Bank and the Ethiopian government to conduct joint implementation support and assessment missions. The collaboration aims to monitor project implementation closely, address challenges, and achieve planned outcomes, focusing on quality completion of water and sanitation projects to enhance citizens' access to these essential services.
