Cooperation: Japan to provide Rs3.4b for water schemes in Lahore, Faisalabad

Old WASA machinery will be replaced under two projects

LAHORE: The Japanese government will provide Rs3.4 billion to Pakistan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to improve water supply systems in Lahore and Faisalabad.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata and Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Secretary Saleem Sethi signed agreements for the projects, titled Project for Energy Saving in Water Supply System in Lahore and Project for Replacement of Pumping Machinery at Inline Booster Pumping Station and Terminal Reservoir in Faisalabad. JICA chief representative Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki and EAD Joint Secretary Mujtaba Hussain signed grant agreements.

The project in Lahore will help save energy for water supply facilities and restore water supply capacity through replacement of pumping equipment. As many 105 underground water pumps will be replaced. In order to improve operation and maintenance of tube wells, energy audit instruments will be introduced. The steps will have a synergetic effect on lowering the high energy cost for the Water and Sanitation Agency of Lahore. An agreement for the detailed design of the project was signed on January 28, 2015

Faisalabad

In Faisalabad, old water pumps will be replaced and the efficiency of the pump station and reservoir, previously installed through an Asian Development Bank’s assistance, will be improved. The project is expected to reduce electricity cost and increase daily water supply. Over the decade, Japan has been focusing its assistance worth Rs5.5 billion in total on improving water supply and sewerage in Faisalabad and improving the WASA’s capacity.

Hiroshi Inomata reaffirmed Japan’s commitment of ensuring stable and efficient water supply in Pakistan. “Both projects will contribute to stable water supply and saving energy.” Kawasaki said, “JICA supports improvement of water services. It will keep contributing in this regard through infrastructure strengthening and establishment of a sustainable model for WASAs.” In November 2013, Japan had committed to providing $16 billion over three years to developing countries, including Pakistan, to counter climate change.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2015.