The government of Gabon has received a $100 million injection to assist in advancing its infrastructure and local development agenda.

The World Bank approved loan is the second phase of the Infrastructure and Local Development Project, which aims to improve access to urban infrastructure and services in selected underserviced neighbourhoods and to build basic capacities for municipal management in targeted cities.

This project is a continuation of the Local Infrastructure Development Project (LIDP I). It builds on and improves the predecessor project’s concept.

The participatory approach initiated under LIDP I, which helped improve transparency of urban investments and promote better lines of accountability between municipalities and local populations, will be maintained and reinforced in the new project.

Significant social benefits

“This project is expected to deliver significant social benefits by improving the living conditions of the low-income communities and contribute to reduce urban poverty. One example is the reallocation of public funds to more direct and targeted interventions for the poor” says Sylvie Dossou, Country Manager for Gabon.

“Other actions such as helping generate temporary employment opportunities in labour-intensive public works will benefit local resident in the selected poor neighbourhoods.” Dossou added.

The Infrastructure and Local Development Project will cover three new provincial capitals (Makokou, Koulamoutou and Tchibanga) in addition to the previous six cities targeted by LIDP I (Libreville, Port-Gentil, Franceville, Oyem, Lambaréné and Mouila).

This corresponds to the nine regional capitals of Gabon, ensuring equitable repartition of investments throughout the country.

“Through this project the residents from the specific underserviced neighbourhoods will see the issues of access to basic services addressed. It will also help strengthen the capacity of the municipality administration.” says Mahine Diop, Sr. Municipal Engineer.

In addition to all that, the local construction sector, especially SMEs, will benefit from training, contract opportunities which will contribute to revitalise the local job market.