The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) met with leaders of southern Dong Nai province on July 10^th to work on the progress of Japan-funded water supply and drainage projects.

At the meeting between representatives of the JICA Vietnam Office and Dong Nai province People’s Committee.

Phase I of the Nhon Trach water supply project, using Japan’s ODA loan, became operational in 2014, generating 100,000 cu.m. of water per day.

Dong Nai is carrying out phase II of the project, funded with nearly JPY 15 billion (USD 131.3 million) loaned by JICA, to raise the daily capacity to 200,000 cu.m. of water.

The provincial People’s Committee said procedures are being processed for the construction of phase II. Consultation and design activities, carried out by some Japanese businesses, are expected to finish by the end of 2017. Later, the construction package deal will be put out to tender.

Shu Kitamura, a representative of the JICA Vietnam Office, said phase II of the Nhon Trach project will pilot high-quality technologies. Hence, JICA wants all steps of the project, from consultation, design, to construction must meet all requirements.

Meanwhile, the water drainage and wastewater treatment project in Bien Hoa city costs more than JPY 45 billion (USD 393.9 million) in total, including JPY 38 billion (USD 332.6 million) funded through Japan’s ODA.

Shu Kitamura said the loan agreement for this project will be signed in late July 2017. JICA wants Dong Nai province to accelerate the selection of consultancies and design partners, as well as necessary procedures, so that the project will be carried out soon.

The management board for projects in Dong Nai said the consultancy and design partner selection for the Bien Hoa project is set to complete in mid-October.

Bien Hoa city hasn’t had a wastewater treatment system. All daily wastewater is still directly released into the Dong Nai River, which is a source of water supply for some 20 million people. Flooding is also becoming more and more serious in the city./.

VNF/VNA