Roundup: Linden water supply, NIDP projects, Bogotá solid waste program

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has kicked off work under its US$12.3mn Linden water supply and rehabilitation program. The five-year program entails rehabilitation and civil works, including construction of two new water treatment plants in Amelia's ward and Wisroc as well as reservoirs, Guyana's government information service Gina reported. Approved in July last year, the project is being funded through an IDB loan. *** Jamaica's agriculture and fisheries ministry aims to speed up irrigation works under the national irrigation development program (NIDP). The program, which began in 2002, has been plagued by delays, which have put IDB funding at risk, said minister Roger Clarke. IDB approved US$16.8mn in funding for the US$21mn program, with counterpart funding from the government. The bank extended financing for the program in November last year, but plans to cease all disbursements at end-October, Jamaica Information Services (JIS) reported. Jamaica's cabinet approved six new projects under NIDP in September and October last year; however, work only began this March. Given IDB's disbursement deadline, these projects are at risk of not being completed, Clarke added. *** Colombian capital Bogotá's government has launched a solid waste management program. The program was presented to Bogotá's local mayors by public services department (UAESP) head Guillermo Asprilla, who said the project aims to transform Bogotá into a "zero waste" city. Projects include construction of 60 recycling centers throughout the city, a press release from the mayor's office reads.