Ethiopia plans attaining 100 percent clean water service coverage by 2012

September 25, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water Resource said Tuesday it is implementing a plan to attain 100 percent clean water service coverage across the nation by the year 2012.

At a relevant workshop, Abebe Gutema, potable water and sanitation program coordinator with the ministry, said over 1.9 billion birr (210 million U.S. dollars) is needed to attain the goal.

According to the plan, 21,289 new clean water service facilities will be constructed in different parts of the nation in the coming years, he said.

The fund for the success of the plan is expected to be secured from foreign donors, the World Bank, the public and other sources, he said.

The clean water service coverage of the nation stands at 47.3 percent at present.

(Xinhua)