Mauritania, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Sign Agreement on Kiffa City Water Supply Project
On 2 May, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Mr. Ousmane Mamodou Kane, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Promotion of Productive Sectors, signed with Mr. Mohamed Saif al- Suwaidi, the Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, an agreement relating to the contribution to the financing of a project to supply the city of Kiffa and neighboring towns with drinking water from the Senegal River.
The contribution of the Abu Dhabi Fund to this strategic project is worth 110 million dirhams, or the equivalent of ($30 million), while the total value of the project financed by the institutions of the Group of Coordination is $320 million.
On this occasion, the Minister praised the level of distinguished bilateral relations between Mauritania and the United Arab Emirates and the pioneering role played by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in financing economic and social development projects in Mauritania.
He added that the Mauritanian government is working to implement an inclusive national strategy focused, in large part, on the sustainable supply of drinking water to populations in all areas of the country.
“This project consists of providing the city of Kiffa and neighboring towns with a modern network, starting from Gouraye passing by Selibabi and Kankossa to Kiffa, which will contribute to the supply of drinking water from the Senegal River, ensure the stability of the population, and reduce the movement of individuals in search of water, especially during this summer period,” as Mr. Ousmane Mamadou Kane put it.
In turn, the Managing Director of the Fund said:”This strategic project is an important turning point that will contribute to the development of the water sector in Mauritania, which is likely to improve the quality and sustainability of drinking water supply to reach the major areas and main cities of the country.”
According to Mr. al- Suwaidi, the financing of the project will serve to support the development plans of the Mauritanian government by improving the standard of living and the health conditions of the inhabitants of the targeted areas.
He added, “It will meet the water needs of the inhabitants of the city of Kiffa and surrounding towns and areas”, saying that it includes the supply and installation of a pipeline linking the Senegal River and the city of Kiffa, 277 km long.