WORLD BANK APPROVES IRRIGATION REHABILITATION EMERGENCY PROJECT FOR ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
July 29, 2009

YEREVAN, JULY 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The World Bank’s Board
of Executive Directors has approved a 30 million-dollar Irrigation
Rehabilitation Emergency Project for Armenia, Head of the World Bank
Armenia Office Aristomene Varudakis announced during the July 29
press conference.

The main canals in Armavir and Talin regions will be restored under
the project. "The main canals 84 km in length will be repaired, thanks
to which water losses will be reduced by 70 thousand cubic meters
and lands of the total area of 7,300 ha can be irrigated," he said.

Besides, according to him, the project will contribute to the
creation of nearly 9,000 man-month jobs, and by its completion about
39 thousand water users in 73 communities will be direct beneficiaries
of the rehabilitation project.

The project-envisaged work will start in November 2009. The project
will be financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development and will finish until June, 2011.

As regards the cooperation of the World Bank and the Projects
Implementation Office, A. Varudakis considered it efficient. The 15
years of joint work have resulted in a considerable growth of irrigated
lands and the introduction of most efficient irrigation technologies,
including gravity irrigation system not requiring energy.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress