FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
World Bank
.818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.* Telephone: (202) 477-1234
BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 90/42                            Contact: Richard Kollodge
(202) 477-4507
COTE D'IVOIRE CLEANS UP ABIDJAN LAGOON
WASHINGTON, January 11, 1990 -- Cote d'Ivoire will prevent further
pollution of the lagoon surrounding Abidjan, the nation's largest city, through
a project being supported by a $21.9 million World Bank loan.
Cote d'Ivoire's Ebrie Lagoon is being polluted by untreated sewage and
industrial waste. The pollution is choking off aquatic plantlife, killing fish,
and contaminating seafood caught in the lagoon.
The World Bank loan will finance construction of facilities that will
process waste pumped from septic tanks and "leaching pits" used 1v about half of
Abidjan's 2 million residents. Other facilities will be constructed to skim off
floating wastes. A new "outflow," which bypasses the lagoon will carry the pre-
treated organic waste to another facility that allows the waste to diffuse into
the ocean, where oxygen, salt, and wave action cause the waste to break down and
become less polluting.
As part of the project, laws will be put into place to prevent industries
from dumping hazardous waste into the lagoon. At the same time. Abidjan's
water-pollution monitoring system will be strengthened.
The World Bank loan is for 20 years, including five years of grace, with a
variable interest rate, currently 7.75 percent, linked to the cost of the Bank's
borrowings. It also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.25 percent on the
undisbursed balance.
Note: Money figures are in U.S. dollar equivalents.