(Ecofin Agency) - Gambia’s government has just launched a program to deploy clean water and sanitation facilities in rural and semi-urban areas. Funds for the project, estimated at $1.8 billion, will be raised with development partners including the African Development Bank, the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility.

The program intends to provide 40 solar off-grids, to produce domestic hot water, and construct 224 sanitary facilities in hospitals and schools. Rainwater drainage systems will be installed in 40 schools at high risk of flooding, 20 municipal waste collection and treatment centers will be set up and 20 waste collection vehicles will be given to organizations working in the water domain. A non-biodegradable waste incineration plant will also be built to power a 200 KW power plant.  The government plans to set up a monitoring committee that will conduct the program.

Gwladys Johnson Akinocho