(Ecofin Agency) - The Ivorian government invested CFA169.2 billion (about $288 million) to build a water treatment plant in Bouaké, a town in the central part of the country. The project, carried out by Ivorian PFO and French Veolia, will also benefit 120 surrounding localities.

The soon-to-be-built facility is set to produce 4,000 m3 of clean water per hour in a town where the need is estimated at 2,500 m3/h. In March 2018, Bouaké suffered a long drought period that caused a huge water deficit of more than 70%.

Authorities say the project will cover the clean water need in the city and the targeted localities until 2045. Construction work was launched last June 20 and is expected to last 24 months. The investment aligns with the government’s “Water for all” (Eau pour tous) program, which aims to reach 100% national clean water coverage by 2030. The program requires a total investment of CFA1,320 billion (about 2.2 billion), according to authorities.

Côte d’Ivoire’s national clean water coverage was estimated at 82% in 2019, according to official data.

André Chadrak