Garbage management along main roads in Kaysone Phomvihane district, Savannakhet province, will soon become easier thanks
to the provision of new waste collection equipment and vehicles.
The equipment and vehicles have been provided by the Asian Development Bank through a grant and loan worth over US$700,000, district authorities said.
The equipment was handed over to the province in a ceremony held last week, witnessed by district Governor Mr. Thonkeo Phoutthakaiyalath, provincial authorities and other invited guests.
The project will improve garbage management and build the capacity of personnel working in the field.
The main project activities are the collection and transport of garbage, the separation of waste materials, and the raising of public awareness concerning waste disposal. The scheme comes under the Greater Mekong Sub-region East-West Economic Corridor Towns Development Project, and aims to improve infrastructure and develop the economy of Savannakhet province towards becoming a centre for trade and investment, especially Kaysone Phomvihane district. Project Director Ms Phouthalom Saysanavongphet told Vientiane Times this week that ADB is helping Laos to transform three towns along the East-West Economic Corridor into economic hubs.
The project will improve urban environmental infrastructure and strengthen the institutional capacity of provincial and local authorities in Kaysone Phomvihane, Phin and Xepon districts. It includes flood control measures and improvements in waste management and roads.
The project will upgrade roads in the target districts to improve local development and infrastructure. This will also increase the overall ease of transportation and increase trade and private investment nationwide.
The East-West Economic Corridor Towns Development project will provide a land transport link running 1,320 kilometres through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, connecting the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea.
In addition to transport, the economic corridor focuses on developing telecommunications and energy infrastructure, tourism, and private sector involvement.
Mr. Thonkeo said he strongly believed the project would attract more visitors and promote trade and investment once complete.
Importantly, the authorities need to work together to maintain the donated supplies and vehicles during their use, he added.
“This will help to improve our district and make it more attractive to tourists,” he said.
Source: Vientiane Times
