The FINANCIAL — A $13.3 million Asian Development Bank-supported project to build better maritime facilities on three of Tuvalu’s outer islands will make shipping to and from the capital safer and more efficient.
The Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project will construct a small harbor on the island of Nukulaelae, rehabilitate boat ramps on Nanumaga and Niutao, build capacity to maintain maritime infrastructure, and develop a master plan for future harbor developments.
“Better maritime transport will bring more economic opportunities or people on the outer islands, and improve access to social services such as medical care and education, reducing the need for migration to the capital,” said Shigehiko Muramoto, a Unit Head, Project Administration in ADB’s Pacific Department. “Along with improved livelihoods, this project will also help build the climate resilience of community infrastructure on the outer islands by making it easier to transport construction materials.”
As none of Tuvalu’s outer islands has docking facilities for ocean-going ships, passengers and cargo must be transferred via workboats, which can be dangerous and cannot operate in bad weather or at night. The new harbor and restored boat ramps will make transport from the workboats safer and more efficient.
The project is aligned with the Government of Tuvalu’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development, 2016-2020, which calls for safer and more efficient maritime transport to enhance economic development, and improve livelihoods and safety on the outer islands. It is expected to be completed in 2020, according to ADB.
An ADB grant will fund $11.3 million of the project, a Global Environment Facility grant will fund $500,000 and the remaining $1.5 million will be provided by the Government of Tuvalu.
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