WB to discuss Absheron lakes clean up
The World Bank’s (WB) Board of Directors will discuss the
“Absheron Lakes Cleanup and Rehabilitation” project on July 18,
2017, said the WB.
The estimated cost of the project is $100 million, $85 million of
which are the means of the International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development, which is a part of WB group, while other $15
million – of the country’s government.
Bank financing would consider investment opportunities regarding
four lakes - Khojasan, Lokhbatan, Gu, and Girmizi, according to the
WB.
“Both the government and industry are paying increasing attention
to the improvement of environmental quality in urban areas as a way
to sustain investments and development. The residential expansion
of the Baku area will occur to the west and to the east, where
polluted lakes and lands are located,” said the WB.
“Urban lakes are a key feature of the landscape that could, if
properly cleaned up, significantly contribute to the improvement in
the quality of life in the Greater Baku area. Land redevelopment,
if managed appropriately, will also bring development and
employment opportunities and share of prosperity to the local
population,” according to the WB.
Pollution from the oil sector is acutely observed and documented in
many locations of the Absheron Peninsula – the center of the oil
production area, which makes the Peninsula one of the regions with
significant land contamination, said the WB.
There are an estimated 220,000 ha just in Greater Baku, of which
about 23,000 ha, or approximately 10%, are oil-contaminated lands,
and 7,200 ha contaminated lakes, according to the WB.
“The government of Azerbaijan undertook a strategic effort to clean
up a part of the Boyuk Shor Lake and has already started the lakes’
second phase cleanup,” said the WB. “The government of Azerbaijan
is committed to scaling up the cleanup and revitalization of the
Absheron lakes and the surrounding area.”
Regulating authorities also recognize that addressing such issues
is highly complex, and requires a systemic approach and high level
of technical expertise as well as significant financial resources,
according to the WB.
The government of Azerbaijan is therefore seeking external support
from the World Bank and other international financial institutions,
said the bank.
--
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!