Luanda — The project for the supply of drinking water to rural areas "Water for All" will benefit about 80 percent of the country's population, as from 2012, informed Thursday in Caxito city, northern Bengo province, the minister of Energy and Waters, Botelho de Vasconcelos.

Botelho de Vasconcelos, who made this affirmation during his visit of assessing the progress of works, informed that the project will increase annually by 20 percent the supply of drinking water to the population, so that 80 percent of the country's population consumes treated water by 2012.

The minister, who met with the provincial governor, Jorge Dombolo, with the local government, as well as with firms to which the works of project were entrusted, said that the endeavour is in an experimental phase, and that four provinces were included: Cabinda, Uíge, Bengo and Benguela.

According to the official, the steering project of the drinking water abstraction, treatment and distribution system will start functioning next April, and Cabiri commune, in Bengo province, was selected to host the official starting phase of the venture.

The official referred that the "Water for All" project is a "very ambitious" national plan, which is attracting the attention of the central government, as well as of the international community, due to its capacity.

Led by minister Botelho de Vasconcelos, the delegation includes the deputy minister of the sector, Rui Tito, the chairman of the Management Board of the Public Water Firm of Luanda (EPAL), António Belsa da Costa, among other senior officials and staff of the Ministry.

In line with this, Rui Tito travelled last Thursday to northern Uíge province, where he will meet with local authorities and companies involved in the project, with view to get acquainted with the venture's implementation rate.

The project is being implemented by a commission co-ordinator by the minister of Energy and Waters and includes the ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development, of Industry, of Territory Administration, of Health and by the secretary of the Cabinet Council.

The creation of the "Water for All" undertaking bore in mind the fact that drinking water supply is one of the fundamental conditions for the health and wellbeing of the population, as well as for the economic and social development of the country.