The Fijian Government has partnered with the Asian Development Bank and the Green Climate Fund to fund an Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Management Investment Program to benefit over 300,000 Fijians living in the Greater Suva Area.
The project is expected to be completed in July 2025 and represents a total investment of $829.5 million.
The new water supply and wastewater management project is the first project funded under the Accreditation Master Agreement signed between the ADB and Green Climate Fund in July this year.
The agreement allows the ADB to access and administer Green Climate Fund funding for climate mitigation and adaptation projects in the ADB’s developing member countries.
On the margins of the Pre‑COP Partnership Event in Nadi, the Fijian Government and the ADB signed a Funded Activity Agreement to release a grant of $63.4 million, which will be funnelled through the ADB.
The Fijian Government also signed a loan agreement with the ADB for an $86.1 million loan to fund the first phase of the Program.
Once completed, the project will improve access to a safe, piped water supply system and environmentally friendly sewage systems and is part of the government’s larger effort to expand access to clean drinking water and wastewater systems.
The project will cover the general maintenance and upgrades of water supply infrastructure and the construction of a new water supply intake on the Rewa River, with an associated water treatment plant, pumping station, reservoir and transmission main to connect to the existing Greater Suva Area water supply system.
The project will also improve wastewater management in urban areas and engage expert consultants to complete engineering designs, ensure high levels of compliance and assist with procurement.
The European Investment Bank has also agreed to co‑finance the project in partnership with the ADB.
Prime Minister and Incoming COP President Voreqe Bainimarama said that the delivery of basic services has always been a cornerstone of the Government's reforms in Fiji, and the program is a perfect example of that commitment.
The Attorney General and Minister responsible for climate change, Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum, welcomed the new program as a big step forward for climate adaptation work in Fiji and a sign of confidence in Fiji’s ability to manage serious infrastructure development.
Sayed-Khaiyum says climate change brings serious risks for the Fijian people in accessing clean drinking water and sanitation services, and we urgently need to boost the resilience of our water supply and wastewater infrastructure to withstand severe weather events.
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