28 March 2008
Opening the First African Water Week, in Tunis, the African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Donald Kaberuka, made a strong call for more effort to achieve water security in Africa at the national and regional level.
Mr. Kaberuka reminded more than 400 participants at the conference that only 4% of Africa's annual renewable water resources have been developed for irrigation, water supply and hydropower use, compared to 70 to 90% in developed countries. About 340 million Africans lack access to safe drinking water and almost 500 million lack access to improved sanitation facilities.
Moreover, although Africa is the least responsible continent in terms of contributing to climate change, it will be the hardest hit by its effects, notably in terms of increased water stress. Therefore, added Mr. Kaberuka, adaptation to climate change is a development priority. In recognition of this, the AfDB is developing a climate risk management and adaptation strategy to guide its efforts in the continent.
Over the last few years, AfDB has placed water at the core of its priority. The Bank established the Rural and Water Supply and Sanitation Initiative, the largest initiative ever launched by the institution. The initiative aims to address the problem of low access to water supply and sanitation in rural areas, where the majority of the population live.
Its overall objective is to accelerate access to water supply and sanitation services in rural Africa to attain 80% coverage by 2015, from 47% and 44% for water and sanitation respectively in the year 2000. So far, 17 programmes have been approved since 2003 with total financing at US$1.8 billion. These programmes are expected to extend water supply and sanitation services to some 30 million and 28 rural people respectively by 2010.
The Bank Group's overall financing in water supply and sanitation has increased five fold, from an average of less than US$ 70 million per annum by 2002, to over US$ 330 million per annum since 2003.
"Clearly, it is no longer acceptable that the African continent continue to utilize only 4% of its water resources, when a huge proportion of the people do not have access to safe water, and when large populations are faced with frequent floods and drought, in addition to food and energy shortages. Action is urgently needed", Mr. Kaberuka added.
The main objective of the First African Water Week (AWW-1), held in Tunis from March 26th to March 28th, is to create a forum for African water sector professionals, stakeholders and partners to discuss opportunities and challenges of achieving water security for the socio-economic development of Africa; and to formulate concrete policies, strategies and actions to accelerate water resources development and provision of services taking into consideration the challenges and impacts of climate change and variability.
infrastructure and improved water management infrastructure which will increase access to agricultural land as well as provide support to livestock development efforts, she stressed.
The dissemination of drought resistant varieties, irrigation development as well soil and water conservation are expected to also contribute to efforts aimed at enabling beneficiaries cope with the effects of climate change. The project will complement other ongoing projects and its design fully recognizes and responds to gender issues. The programme is also expected to increase access to agricultural resources for women and will help increase household incomes, she said.
She used the occasion to underscore the excellent relations between the AfDB and the government of Ghana. She assured the country of the AfDB's continued support to programmes pursued by the Ghanaian government aimed at enhancing development in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The Ghanaian ambassador to Tunisia, Lawrence Satuh, who signed the agreement on behalf of his country, said the funds disbursed would help provide material support to his country in its efforts to translate its development policies into concrete achievements in two vital sectors of the economy: the energy and rural development sectors. Ghana has, since 1973, received substantial financial and technical assistance from the Bank Group.
Source: AfDB
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