Villagers in Borikhan district of Borikhamxay province can now obtain safe drinking water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week after the completion of a year-long construction project.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) handed over the completed Borikhan Water Supply Project to the Lao government at a ceremony on November 24.
The ceremony was attended by KOICA Vice President, Mr Ahn Dong-Won; Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Sithong Thongkeo; and Vice Governor of Borikhamxay province, Mr Leuam Sonsivilay.
KOICA provided grant aid of around 16.9 billion kip (US$2 million) to construct a water treatment plant with a capacity of 1,900 cubic metres a day and other water supply facilities for 14,000 people in the seven villages of Sisavath, Nahene, Vatthat, Simoungkhoun, Phonsy, Done and Xiengthome.
All the villages are located near the Nam Xan river.
Mr Leuam expressed profound thanks to the Korean government for their assistance and said that Laos and Korea would undoubtedly have further fruitful cooperation and assistance projects in the future.
“By providing a safe and reliable water supply and improving sanitation, the project will directly improve the health and living conditions of these communities and their economies which will benefit from better productivity as a result of health improvements and time saved in collecting water,” said Mr Ahn Dong-Won.
“Water supply for rural villagers is one of our top priorities and the Korean government is considering supporting more water related projects in Laos in the near future.”
By Vientiane Times Reporters
November 27, 2009
