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Regional Development Project (Phase II)
Borrower The Government of the Maldives (GOM)
Classification Thematic Poverty Classification:
Human development and environmental management
Project Description
The Project is a sector loan within the Framework of the GOM’s 6th National Development Plan (NDP). It is set within the context of the NDPs overarching theme of regional development and is focused on poverty reduction, community development and improvements in sanitation, solid waste management and land use planning. The Project has three components: (i) environmental management; (ii) land use planning and development; and (iii) capacity building.

The Project includes proposals to provide settled sewerage systems to three Focus Islands (Naifaru – Lhaviyani Atoll, Mahibadhoo – Alif Dhaal Atoll and Fonadhoo – Laamu Atoll) and at least 2 other Regional Growth Centres. It also includes a waste management strategy study and pilot project for introducing a sustainable approach to solid waste management based on re-use/recycling, to be implemented in Laamu Atoll Fonadhoo/Gan.

The Project has a strong community-based approach to implementation and anticipates maximising opportunities for community responsibility for the operation and maintenance of sanitation and solid waste management systems. Community-based business ventures are favoured. Further, an environmental awareness program has been designed to improve community responsibility in water resource management and sanitation practice.

The project also includes short-term in-house training and overseas education to facilitate implementation of project activities in a sustainable manner. Training is also to be provided for the preparation of new land use plans for the Regional Growth Centres. The Project is to be supported by further capacity building and training in project management and implementation for the key Government line agencies, the atoll/islands administrations and the participating community-based organisations.
Rationale
Groundwater resources are at risk through bacterial contamination caused by caused by effluent leakage from poorly constructed and maintained septic tanks and other disposal facilities. In high density island environments the use of septic tanks is difficult and an alternative small bore pipe network is common. These systems are generally not well designed, often malfunction and usually convey raw sewage directly into the lagoon. The situation is worsened by increasing groundwater extraction leading to depletion of the freshwater lens and high degrees of salinity, often exacerbated by the use of electric water pumps.

Most solid waste is not separated and hazardous and toxic materials are deposited in the garbage dumps. The dumps are not planned and designed as sustainable landfill sites and they are often located close to housing and/or next to the vulnerable lagoon environment, causing localised marine pollution and potential health hazards.

The traditional approach to land management in the atoll islands through the land allocation process has resulted in environmental problems through the inefficient use of land resources and costly and over-designed infrastructure. Poorly located development has jeopardised the groundwater aquifers and the coastal environment.

Government policy prioritises action to solve these problems. The NDP promotes equitable access to affordable basic facilities and promotes the participation of the NGOs, CBOs and the private sector in their management.
Objectives
The Project aims to improve quality of life and ensure environmental sustainability in selected Regional Growth Centres within the Central Regions. More specifically it will: (i) implement settled sewerage systems in the Focus Islands and other Regional Growth Centres; (ii) introduce a comprehensive and integrated waste management system on a pilot project basis; (iii) institutionalise a comprehensive and integrated system of land use planning and prepare LUPs for the Regional Growth Centres; (iv) implement a focused environmental awareness program in association with the environmental management improvements; (v) implement an environmental monitoring program; (vi) assess and implement a capacity building and training program to secure Project implementation and subsequent management; and (vii) assess and implement a community participation process to ensure Project sustainability.
Period of Utilisation
The Project will be implemented over five years. There will be two main phases to the Project. The 1st phase will commence in 2005 and will cover aspects of most of the Project sub-components. It will include: (i) sanitation and sewerage improvements in the Focus Islands; (ii) solid waste management study, pilot project (Fonadhoo-Gan) and interim solid waste management improvement schemes (Naifaru, Mahihbadoo); (iii) environmental monitoring program; (iv) environmental awareness program; and (iv) preparation of LUPs. The 2nd phase commencing in 2007, will concentrate on the expansion of the sanitation and sewerage schemes into at least two other Regional Growth Centres and other sub-components, which will carry through from Phase 1. This will include the continuation of the environmental awareness program and preparation at the LUPs.
Estimated Completion Date 31 December 2009
Implementation Arrangements
The Ministry of Atolls Development (MOAD) will work closely with the Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority (MWSA), the Maldives Housing and Urban Development Board (MHUDB) and the Environment Section of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing and Environment (MOHAHE) and the Ministry of Planning and National Development (MPND) in Project implementation.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) is to be established in “G” section of MOAD and will provide administration and management guidance and ensure Project progress. The PMU will be headed by an experienced project director and will report to a Project Steering Committee (PSC), with membership drawn from Government agencies (including the Atoll and Island administrations), the private sector and the beneficiary communities. A supporting Technical Committee, to provide professional advice to the PMU/PSC is to be created.

Project Implementation Units (PIUs) will take on responsibility for Project implementation at island level. The PIUs will work closely with the atoll and island administrations and the community in implementing the Project components in the Focus Islands (and other selected Regional Growth Centres).
Executing Agency
The Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) will be the Executing Agency.
Implementing Agency Ministry of Atolls Development.
Consulting Services
Both international and domestic consulting services will be required to facilitate Project implementation and to strengthen the institutional capacity of MOAD and the key supporting line agencies (i.e. MWSA, MOHAHE and MHUDB). International consultants will be involved in project management, capacity building/training and monitoring activities. They will assist in the design and implementation of the sanitation and sewerage, solid waste management, environmental awareness and land use planning sub-components. Domestic consultants will be involved in all aspects of the Project.

Where appropriate the PMU will sub-contract suitable community-based organisations and NGOs to take on aspects of Project implementation, including the environmental awareness and social mobilisation programs. Where this is financed under the investment loan, the organisation(s) will be recruited in accordance with ADB’s “Guidelines on the Use of Consultants”.
Project Benefits and Beneficiaries

The proposed improvements to the sanitation and sewerage arrangements will greatly reduce pollution levels in the Focus Islands and other Regional Growth Centres and will provide a proven mechanism capable of easy replication in other inhabited islands. Similarly the proposed approach to better solid waste management will to provide sustainable solid waste collection and disposal, reduce coastal and marine pollution and avoid the risks from conventional landfill schemes. Improved quality of life for island communities will result from implementation of the environmental management improvements. They will also provide the potential for improved public health through protection from the risk of diarrheal and waterborne diseases.

Training mechanisms and programs built into the Project will enhance the capacity of the community to participate. Community groups will form the platform to establish community-based business groups (and local private sector companies) to assist implementation of the sanitation and solid waste management schemes and to take on responsibility for the O&M aspects. The environmental awareness program will enable householders to implement better water resource and pollution control practices.

Community participation should benefit vulnerable groups and will provide the opportunity for women to play an active role in the management of the solid waste management proposals. Assistance can also be provided to poor households to enable their participation as Project beneficiaries.

The Project provides essential capacity building and training for Government agencies. It is essential to Project implementation, and will provide long-term benefits in administration and finance, social development, sanitation and sewerage, solid waste management, land use planning and surveying and environmental monitoring. Training and overseas education will form the backbone for the preparation of Land Use Plans for all the Regional Growth Centres in the Central Regions.

 

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