Japan support enables 2 Palestinian municipalities to improve water supply and electricity – Representative Office of Japan to the PA press release/Non-UN document

25 June, 2014

June, 2014, two opening ceremonies were held in the buildings of the two Municipalities in Bidya & Azzoun. The contracts were signed by Mr. Junya Matsuura,  Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and the Representative of Japan to the PA, Mr. Nimer  Adwan, Mayor of Azzoun Municipality and Mr. Ahmad Abu Safiyeh, Mayor of Bidya,  respectively. These two projects are funded by the Government of Japan through Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

A grant of USD 88,400 was extended for Azzoun Municipality for the project for  "Rehabilitation of Water Network in Azzoun". This project aims to rehabilitate 2,250 meters  of 2-inch underground water pipes in seven different areas, benefiting 153 households (about  770 people). This project provided those residents with adequate and clean water supply as  they suffered a lot from the existing network; from the rusty taste of water and low supply  due to leakage and corroded pipes.

Bidya Municipality also signed the grant contract of USD 105,100 for the project for  “Enhancing the Electricity Provision in Bidya City”. Through this project all Bidya citizens  estimated around 10,000 people, will enjoy a stable and safe electricity supply especially for  those who live at Abu Zaien area (1650 people) where two new transformers were installed.

Mr. Matsuura in his speech emphasized Japan’s firm commitment of supporting Palestinian  people from human security perspective as well as the importance of implementing social and  economic development projects needed for Palestinian communities.

Since 1993 the Government of Japan has extended its official development assistance  exceeding $1.45 billion, to the Palestinians. GGP projects have been formulated in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority through MoPAD since 2010.

-END-