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Contact:
Rose Marie Harris
Wednesday, May 25, 2005 – The government of Saint Lucia has secured a
seven point seven million dollar loan from the World Bank to improve the
island’s water supply. Entitled the “Saint Lucia Water Supply Infrastructure
Improvement Project”, it will include the upgrading of some major components of
the country’s water supply system including the Roseau Dam Pumping System, the
Theobalds Treatment Plant and the More Bocage Distribution Pipeline
The World Bank’s Public Information Associate based in Saint Lucia Miss Carleen
Jules explains that through the Improvement Project two broad objectives will be
achieved. “Number one, alleviate the water shortage in the north of the country
which is the most densely and populated region of the island. Also in terms of
infrastructure, works proposed will allow the utility to supply the entire north
with a more efficient, continuous and reliable service.”
The second objective is to help implement urgent investments which will result
in additional revenues, reduce the likelihood of commercial users; abandon the
system and improve the potential of a successful partnership between the
government of Saint Lucia and the private sector.
The World Bank Director for the Caribbean Caroline Anstey is of the view that a
better water system will have important economic and social benefits for Saint
Lucia. In fact the majority of Saint Lucians reside in the north of the island
which is also the main area for tourism development. Ms. Anstey says that
improved services will support economic growth and job creation as well.
The World Bank also sees improving access to water supply as essential for
sustainable poverty reduction and critical for reaching the Bank’s Millennium
Development Goals in 2015.
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