US $27.7 million ADB loan for water project

An agreement has been concluded under which the African Development Bank (ADB) will lend Ethiopia US $27.7 million for the improvement of water supply and sanitation services in the eastern city of Harer and its environs. "It will also entail the improvement of solid-waste management, as well as institutional capacity building for management of water supply and sewerage services," a statement from the ADB said. The project would also help fight poverty and improve health care in the area – one of the ADB's key aims. "By providing water in quantity, [coupled with] reliability, accessibility, quality and affordable cost, the project will reduce the time spent to collect water, as well as the incidence of waterborne diseases and the cost of their treatment," the Bank said. "Moreover, drainage works will reduce flooding and the incidence of malaria, and protect agricultural and residential land from erosion. Finally, the project will help improve the prospects for economic development by attracting industrial and commercial activities to the area, and through job creation."