Japan extends Rs. 7.5 m to Colombo Municipal Council

Friday, 13 March 2015 01:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Japan Ambassador Nobuhito Hobo and Colombo Municipal Council Chief Fire Officer P.N.R. Fernando exchange the agreement on ‘The Project for Upgrading Fire Engines in Colombo’ at the Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo – Pic by Lasantha Kumara The Government of Japan has provided a $ 58,719 (approximately Rs. 7.5 million) grant for ‘The Project for Upgrading Fire Engines in Colombo’ under ‘Recycled GGP’ provision attached to Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGP). The Project for Upgrading Fire Engines in Colombo, which is to be implemented by the Fire Service Department of Colombo Municipal Council, will help to procure 11 used fire engines and fire protection gear from Japan and will contribute to enhance the safety of human lives in Colombo city and suburbs by providing upgraded fire fighting and security services. The fire engines and protection gear procured under this project will be deployed at the Head office at Maradana and sub stations at Grandpass, Wellawatta and Pettah. Eleven used fire engines and fire protection gear which were handed over to Colombo Municipal Council today were initially donated by several local authorities in Japan (three from Koga city, two from Kyoto city, and one each from Hiroshima city, Makinohara city, Hikone city, Muko city, Ichinomiya city, and Konan city), through the dedicated coordination of Japan Sri Lanka Economic Exchange Association, which carries a particular scheme to coordinate donation of second-hand vehicles such as fire engines to foreign countries. The ‘Recycled GGP’ is one of Japan’s ODA schemes dedicated specifically for local government and independent institutions to contribute to rural development and upgrade living standards of communities. A total of 750 vehicles have been provided to more than 55 countries under this scheme so far to strengthen friendly and cordial relationships between the government of Japan and other partner countries. Colombo Municipal Council Fire Service Department Chief Fire Officer P.N.R. Fernando stated, “The donation of 11 fire engines to Colombo Municipal Council Fire Service Department by the Government of Japan is a great assistance to our fire department in order to render an efficient service to the community of Colombo city and suburbs. Presently C.M.C. Fire Service is operating from five fire stations including the Headquarters. We expect to deploy these 11 Fire Engines among these five fire stations.” The Grant Contract between Ambassador of Japan Nobuhito Hobo and Fernando took place on 12 March at the Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo.