WASHINGTON, February 14, 2013 – A $130 million loan will support the reform of the solid waste sector so that Moroccans gain more equal access to collection and disposal services in urban areas and create up to 70,000 jobs in waste recycling activities. The Third Municipal Solid Waste Sector Development Policy Loan, approved by the World Bank Board of Directors today, will also improve accountability through regular monitoring and ensure that waste management is environmentally safe.
For the first time in Morocco, citizen report cards will be introduced allowing people to provide direct feedback on quality and coverage of solid waste services in their cities. The program will also increase transparency by giving citizens access to policy information and disclosure of contracts with private companies.
“Morocco is engaging in a promising and ambitious agenda to bring about practices aimed at preserving the environment and promoting sustainable development,” said Simon Gray, World Bank Director for the Maghreb Department. “The World Bank is mobilizing its expertise and financial support to help Morocco manage this important municipal challenge and ensure that citizens can speak-up and provide their feedback on policy and quality of services provided.”
The growing rate of waste generation in Morocco is putting significant pressure on environment and natural resources. This underlines the need to develop disposal practices that are safe and inspected regularly in line with environmental norms and standards. The reform of the sector is key to helping Morocco achieve its objectives of having 20 percent of its waste recycled and ensure that all municipal solid waste is collected and disposed of in sanitary landfills by 2022.
“This program is the third of its kind since 2009 and will contribute to the sustainable transformation of solid waste sector by providing reliable services in a transparent way,” said Jaafar Sadok Friaa, World Bank Lead Urban Specialist and the project’s team leader. “This timely support will help create up to 70,000 jobs over the next decade, particularly through the development of waste recycling activities.” |
The completion of the first phase of the National plan was supported by the first two World Bank Development Policy Loans for the management of solid waste in 2009 and 2010. The two programs helped put in place the basic legal framework governing the sector, supported public-private partnerships, and improved the effectiveness of the Environmental Impact Assessment system. They also contributed to an increased rate of professional solid waste collection, up from 44 percent in 2008 to 76 percent currently, and helped bring landfill control up to standard while rehabilitating open dumpsites.
