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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt urges World Bank to restructure KWSSIP
ISLAMABAD: The government has requested the World Bank for restructuring of Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) to complete activities that suffered from the implementation delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022 floods and delays in procurement of critical activities. Official documents revealed that this restructuring for KWSSIP involves: (i) change in client name, (ii) closing date extension and subsequent change in disbursement and implementation schedule, (iii) reallocation between expenditure categories, and (iv) change in results framework. The $40 million International Bank for Reconstruction and Development loan for KWSSIP was approved on June 27, 2019. The project is co-financed with a loan of $40 million from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve access to safe water services in Karachi and to increase the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB)'s financial and operational performance. World Bank approves $240m for Karachi's water & sanitation project The current project closing date is June 30, 2025. The project comprises three components: Component 1—Operational and Enabling Environment Reform; Component 2—Infrastructure Investments; and Component 3—Project Management and Studies. This is the first restructuring of the project. The implementation arrangements of the projects will remain the same. Government has requested a twelve-month project closing date extension for both the World Bank and the AIIB's loans until June 30, 2026. This extension is required to complete activities that suffered from the implementation delay due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2022 floods and delays in procurement of critical activities (bulk meters and customer meters). Activities include the establishment of pilot District Metering Areas (DMAs), works to reduce energy consumption, development of an asset management program, completion of the water and sewerage masterplan and commissioning of the chlorination dosing stations will be completed within the 12 months closing date extension and hence, achieving the PDOs. Due to higher-than-expected costs in component 1 for building customer service centers and of the Institutional Reform Studies, some funding is reallocated from components 2 and 3 to component 1. Relative to the original investment plan at preparation, this will result in a reduced scope of energy efficiency investments in component 2 and of studies conducted in component 3. It is proposed to change the target date of all unachieved indicators to match the closing date extension as all indicators are expected to be achieved by then. Progress toward achieving the PDO and Implementation Progress are rated Moderately Satisfactory as of the last Implementation Status and Results Report (ISR) in November 2024. The performance ratings for components, financial management, project management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and safeguards are also moderately satisfactory. As of May 6, 2025, disbursement from the IBRD allocation reached $30.62 million out of the allocated budget of $40 million (76.55 per cent) in addition to $33.248mn (83.12 per cent) from the AIIB co-financing loan. More than 90 percent of the project proceeds are committed in signed contracts and the remaining balance are planned to be fully committed by June 30, 2025, through variation orders to some ongoing works contracts and awarding of the remaining studies envisioned under the project such as the updating of the Geographical Information System (GIS) and the development of asset management system. Implementation progress, financial utilisation, and reforms momentum have improved recently (though the latter is still slow). The Project is expected to utilize around $2.0 million by June 30, 2025. The overall risk rating under SORT was changed in the last ISR from High to Substantial recognising improvements in handling risk mitigation measures. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
KZN foot-and-mouth crisis: Minister calls for roadblocks, vaccines, and state of disaster
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has directed his department to urgently focus on a much-needed action plan and concrete steps to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in KZN. Zululand Observer reports that during his recent visit to the province, many farmers and community leaders sought clarification on the current situation, expressing concern that the department is not effectively addressing the outbreak. 'This lack of sufficient action is jeopardising farmers' livelihoods, the agricultural industry and the economy. This needs to stop immediately,' said Steenhuisen. KZN has been grappling with 147 active FMD cases and, despite ongoing efforts by the Department of Agriculture, new infections have emerged outside designated Disease Management Areas (DMAs). These areas were declared in 2021 when an outbreak of the South African Territories 2 (SAT2) FMD strain first surfaced in the province. Last month, Steenhuisen extended the boundaries of the DMA in an effort to curb the virus's further spread. 'The reports we continue to receive from KZN regarding the persistent, and in some cases, expanding foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks are of great concern. This, with the slow progress in strengthening our national biosecurity and acquiring vital vaccines, presents significant risks that this government views with serious concern. 'I have directed the department to identify and lift every single impediment standing in the way of vaccines being delivered promptly,' he explained. Steenhuisen also instructed the department to contact law enforcement agencies to prioritise and assist with roadblocks and management of animal movement. 'We need to focus on the prioritisation of alternative sites for the sale of livestock, as well as the identification of abattoirs within the DMA to provide an alternative for farmers within the DMA. 'Procurement and provision of enough vaccines to meet the demand for a comprehensive vaccine roll-out; to explore mechanisms to declare a state of disaster within the province, and to monitor the implementation of the permit system,' said Steenhuisen. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
