Cameroon Government: Accelerates Tender Preparation for World Bank Water Project

Cameroon has ordered faster preparation of the first tenders for its water security project, as it works with the World Bank to put an initial $200 million phase into operation. Water and Energy Minister Gaston Eloundou Essomba gave the instruction after meeting Anna Cestari, the bank’s water practice manager for West and Central Africa, in Yaounde on September 16, according to the ministry. The tenders are the next step for the Water Security Project, known as SEWASH. The ministry said the project team is completing its management unit and preparing the first bidding documents for works. Eloundou Essomba instructed the project coordinator to accelerate those documents for submission to the World Bank. The $200 million first phase is part of an 11-year, $950 million program. According to the ministry, activities that could enter a second phase are already being identified, while efforts continue to mobilize the financing required. It did not announce a funding agreement for that phase or a date for the first tenders. Cestari, who is visiting Cameroon from September 8 to 20, welcomed progress in preparing SEWASH activities, the ministry said. ...