---The World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Feb. 27 announced it has approved US$125 million in financing to support the second phase of the Dam Operational Improvement and Safety Project (DOISP) for Indonesia. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is co-financing the project with an additional $125 million.
The program is intended to upgrade more than 140 dams throughout Indonesia and make them safer for the 11 million people living near the reservoirs, according to the World Bank.
The development objective of the second phase of DOISP, is to also increase the safety and functionality of dams in selected locations and strengthen the operation and management capacity for dam safety.
According to the World Bank, the major changes being presented through this level one project restructuring accompanying additional financing include:
- Simplification of the project development objective (PDO) and streamlining of indicators;
- The rehabilitation of an additional 20 dams that were identified at the time of appraisal for the parent project but not included due to lack of available financing;
- Introduction of a framework approach for screening and prioritization of dams under the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to create a platform that will allow for potential rehabilitation of an estimated 120 additional dams during implementation;
- Updating of the environmental and social management framework to provide a more comprehensive set of tools to support the portfolio approach, including triggering operational policies on indigenous peoples, involuntary resettlement, natural habitats, and pest management, which were not triggered under the original project; and
- Provisions for innovative measures to improve sediment management and land-care practices.
"There should be no shortage of water in any communities in Indonesia.. Dams support stable water supply, but it is paramount to ensure their safety to avoid disasters. The World Bank's continued partnership with Indonesia to improve dam safety will protect millions of Indonesians residing around the dams," said Rodrigo Chaves, World Bank country director for Indonesia.
The majority of the 2,200 dams in Indonesia are being used primarily for irrigation. The safety of dams is vital to safeguard surrounding communities, as well as the country’s water resources, according to the World Bank.(2017-04-06)
