ADB funds US$ 116 million Colombo sewage system overhaul

By Uditha Jayasinghe

Colombo citizens undergoing hazards due to the incessant rains might be in for future relief with the Government giving approval for a wastewater management scheme worth US$ 116 million that would overhaul the sewage system.

Funded by a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project aims to improve the urban environment by rehabilitating the sewage system and improving the public health of residents in the greater Colombo area.

The Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils is the project executing agency while the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and National Water Supply and Drainage Board are the two project implementing agencies.

The Cabinet paper notes that the intention is to apply part of the proceeds of the loan towards the cost of institutional development consultant which will provide support to the development of implementation capacity to the CMC. Sinclair Knight Merz of Australia has been selected by the Cabinet Procurement Committee to provide the institutional development consultancy service. The ADB has approved the selection.

Minister A.L.M. Athulla presented the Cabinet paper and received approval to award the contract worth US$ 1. 7 million to the Sinclair Knight Merz in association with Brisbane City Enterprises, Ocyana Consultants, Resource Development Consultants, and EML Consultants.