Benin - Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Programme (PAEPA)

The Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Program was designed to ensure the sustainable satisfaction of the drinking water and sanitation needs of rural populations in order to contribute to the improvement of their living conditions. It responds, on the one hand, to the Beninese Government's concern to ensure equitable development of the various regions of the country and to correct the shortcomings observed, in accordance with the new policy of decentralization and regional balance, and, on the other hand, to the African Development Bank Group's desire to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals through the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Initiative (RWSSI). This program should make it possible to ensure, by 2010, (i) the provision of drinking water to at least 50% of the rural population; and (ii) adequate sanitation for at least 40% of Benin's rural population and (ii) by 2015, (i) the provision of drinking water to at least 67% of the rural population; and (ii) adequate sanitation for at least 66% of Benin's rural population. The cost of the program, excluding taxes and customs duties, is estimated at UA 196.90 million. Its first phase, which should be based in the departments of Atlantique and Zou, includes the following components: (i) development of basic infrastructure; (ii) studies, supervision and control of works; (iii) information, education and communication (IEC); (iv) institutional support; and (v) program management.