Launched in Gabon in 2019, the drinking water component of the Libreville Integrated Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (PIAEPAL) is entering its completion phase. Over 20,000 residents and workers at seven administrative sites in the capital (Léon Mba secondary school, Indjendjet secondary school, Omar Bongo technical high school, Ecole nationale de gendarmerie, Fopi, Nkembo Hospital, Central prison) now have a continuous supply of drinking water.
Funded by loans of EUR 75.40 million from the African Development Bank and EUR 42 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund -- itself financed jointly by the Bank Group and the People's Bank of China -- the project has also made it possible to install completed 39 drinking fountains, which the government has accepted. "The impact of the project will be even more significant once it begins operation. All works should be completed by 30 June 2024," according to the project's mid-term report published Tuesday 16 April 2024 by the African Development Bank.
Moreover, it will only be after the city's distribution network has been refurbished that the works' effects will be felt in Greater Libreville over the course of the flood season. The refurbishment of 151,000 linear metres of pipes is 83 percent complete and water is starting to be supplied to several districts in Libreville.
The project has included the construction of a metal water tower for the central prison in Libreville with a capacity of 50 m3, and another built of reinforced concrete with a 1,500 m3 capacity in central Ntoum. Tests to ensure that the tower is sealed and does not leak are being finalized and the tower is provisionally slated to arrive by the end of May 2024 at the latest. A water tower in Bikélé, also built of reinforced concrete with the same 1,500 m3 capacity, is 47.1 percent complete. Finally, a water tower in Nzeng-Bourg has been fully refurbished. What remains to be done is hydraulic piece (discharge pipe to the water tower and the distribution pipe) are all that remains to be done.
For the other works, 81,310 linear metres of pipes have been installed to extend the distribution network. Pressure tests were carried out and were successful. An additional 48,829 linear metres of pipe have been installed to expand the distribution network and 21,000 linear metres of pipe have been replaced on the seven administrative sites. Finally, the major civil engineering works to construct and fit out the PK5 pumping station have been completed. This will significantly improve the supply of water to several districts -- Nzeng-Ayong, Montalier, Ondogo, Alibadeng, Haut de Gué Gué and Bas de Gué Gué -- and the northern part of Libreville.
Good pressure, no more leaks, no open defecation
The African Development Bank project manager, Djibril Diagne, is confident that all work will be completed per the contract in force by 30 June 2024, and all infrastructure delivered. "Three months out from the end of the works, we're able to say that the project will meet its objectives," he explains. "It will far exceed expectations on the total length of pipes replaced (153,449 linear metres installed, compared to 149,000 initially planned) but also in terms of improving and extending the distribution network (154,090 linear metres, compared to 131,000 that was planned). There has also been additional refurbishment of hydraulic equipment and recommissioning the booster station for the SOTEGA water tower," he continues.
Building new infrastructure has genuinely helped improve the environment of people in the Gabonese capital according to Mr Diagne. "Those who live and work in the seven administrative sites are very satisfied with these works and have confirmed that they have a continuous supply of water that flows at an adequate rate and good pressure. The whole of the Mba secondary school in Libreville has had a continuous supply of drinking water since the work was completed, with a good flow rate and very good pressure up to the fourth floor of the building."
"What's more, there have been no leaks since the distribution network was replaced and the sanitary facilities were updated. This has eliminated the problem of open defecation at the school," points out Mr Diagne.
