Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Water Supply has launched Water Sector Governance and Infrastructure Support Project with the assistance of the World Bank.
Minister for Water Supply, Abdul Khan and World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos, jointly announced the launch of the project on Friday.
“The $100 million project, of which $80 million is financed by the World Bank and $20 million from government counterpart funding, will help Nepal improve the delivery of water and sanitation services and promote integrated water resources management,” a statement issued by the World Bank said.
Aligned with Nepal’s federalism principles, the six-year project puts the municipalities at the forefront of project planning and implementation with a focus on strengthening service delivery and institutional capacities, it added.
Commenting on the project, Minister Khan said delivering improved water supply and sanitation services and integrated water resources management are critical for economic and social progress in the context of climate change and federalism. “The project complements the government’s existing programs in transitioning the sector service delivery to the municipalities as provided for under the Local Governance Operation Act 2017,” he added.
The project will be implemented in six municipalities of two provinces: Birendranagar and Sharada municipalities in Karnali Province; and Dipayal Silgadhi, Bardogoria, Joshipur, and Janaki municipalities in Sudurpashchim Province.
“This project will help promote green, resilient, and inclusive water supply and sanitation services to over 400,000 people while providing employment opportunities and skills training to women in the water and sanitation sector,” stated Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
