OZ pledges cash for clean water access, sewerages

The Jakarta Post | Mon, 06/21/2010 10:04 AM

Australia plans to give A$25 million (US$21.7 million) to 29 local governments in Indonesia to increase access to clean water and expand household sewerage connections.

“The local governments are expected to provide a clean water supply service and good sanitation for their communities,” Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto said recently.

The 29 regions include Palembang in South Sumatra, Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan, Banjarbaru in South Kalimantan, Pekalongan in Central Java, Bogor and Banjar in West Java and Malang in East Java.

Grants for sewerage connections will be provided for Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, Surakarta in Central Java, Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, Jambi in Central Sumatra, Payakumbuh in West Sumatra, Blitar in East Java and Denpasar in Bali.

However, the funds will be made available only once the local governments have developed water pipe networks and sewerage systems.

“This disbursement is output based, and this is the first time we have ever used this kind of approach,” the minister said.

In this output-based system, recipients are required to have included clean water access and sanitation programs in their annual regional budgets.

The recipients can only get the allocated fund once they have proven that they have built pipe networks for clean water and a sewerage.

“For each of the household pipes installed, we will pay Rp 2 million [US$218],” the minister said. “And if they install more than 1,000 pipes, we will pay Rp 3 million [$328] for each additional pipe,” he added.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said the grant was meant to improve Indonesians’ hygiene.

“The initiative will give about 480,000 Indonesians ready access to cleaner water and better sanitation, helping people to stay healthier and be more productive,” he said.

The Australian Government has provided a total of A$300 million (US$260 million) to improve clean water and sanitation programs in the Asia-Pacific region. (map)

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