The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the People’s Committee of southern Dong Nai province have reached consensus on the funding for a drainage and wastewater treatment project in Bien Hoa city after 10 years of negotiations.

Representatives of JICA and Dong Nai province inked the minutes of discussion on November 2.

Dong Nai River

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Van Vinh stressed that the project will benefit not only Bien Hoa city but also the whole southern region.

Localities along the Dong Nai River such as Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces and Ho Chi Minh City have been using water from the river for daily activities, he noted, adding that if the negotiations extend further, the life of tens of millions of local residents will be affected as all wastewater of Bien Hoa city has been discharged into Dong Nai river without treatment.

JICA will submit the project to the Japanese Government for approval before an agreement on the loan is officially signed.

According to the provincial authorities, the project will have a total investment of USD 238 million, including USD 261 million in official development assistance (ODA) funded by Japan and the remainder provided by Dong Nai province.

The project is expected to be put into operation after 37 months of construction.

Source: VNA