African Development Bank leading donor in Morocco's water sector

Rabat, May 17 (IANS/MAP) The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the leading donor in Morocco's water sector, with installations financed by it ensuring sustainable supply of drinking water in several cities.

The programmes financed by the AfDB have improved the water supply and distribution systems in 30 Moroccan cities (more than 2/3 of the country's population).

This has improved access to drinking water in urban areas, which is around 100 per cent.

In rural areas, the access to drinking water has improved from 14 per cent in 1990 to 94 per cent now, said the report on Wednesday.

The major structuring projects under implementation financed by the AfDB cost 300 million euros.

They include strengthening and improving the quantity and quality of drinking water supply on the Rabat-Casablanca axis for about five million people.

They also secure the supply of drinking water for about two million people in the Marrakech, Al Haouz and Al Kelaa zones and improve water quality at the Bouregreg system and the performance of existing drinking water systems.

As part of its next cooperation strategy with Morocco for the period 2017-2021, the AfDB wishes to continue its work in the water sector.

The bank seeks to consolidate its relationship with its main partner, the National Electricity Authority and to accompany the Moroccan government in the realisation of major structuring projects in this sector of prime importance.

--IANS

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