Azerbaijan, Baku, May 5 / Trend , I.Khalilova, E.Ismayilov/
To determine the status of existing landfills in Baku and Absheron, analytical work will be carried out to rehabilitate them, chairman of the Board of the Clean City Zakir Ibrahimov said on May 5. [JSC was established on the basis of the president's decree dated Aug. 6, 2008.]
"These activities will be implemented within the framework of environmental programs, with financial support of the World Bank," Ibrahimov said.
The Economic Development Ministry's program envisaged forming a waste management system, to which the WB will issue loan worth $29 million, and Azerbaijan's part will be $34 million.
According to Ibrahimov, it is expected to sign a loan agreement with WB soon whose powers were granted to Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafaev.
The project provides not only analysis, but also the purchase of necessary equipment for the collection of waste, a certain work at landfill in Balakhani.
"Clean City" will be engaged in deploying, disposing and recycling of household waste in Baku and Absheron, while cleaning and delivery of waste remains in the responsibility of the Baku City Administration. The main reason for the establishment of joint-stock company is to improve the environmental situation in the capital and Absheron.
"Our work will be carried out in several key areas, particularly in the construction of the incineration plant for municipal waste with capacity of 500 thousand tons per year and production in the combustion process at 231 million kilowatt hours of electricity, " said the head of JSC.
Another activity of "Clean City" JSC is to rehabilitate existing landfills for disposal of household waste in accordance with international standards, eliminate illegal landfills - the discharge of garbage, and recycle in accordance with the overall development strategy.
Draft strategy for the management of solid wastes in Baku and Absheron has been developed by a consultant to the Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan - the British Curry & Brown company. As part of a strategy, "Clean City" JSC was formed, originally as a 100-percent state-owned enterprise.
In the future, in line with the strategy, the municipalities and private sector may be involved for the various components (processing, transportation and disposal). The State may leave the joint-stock company in after a long period in 5-7 years.
According to official statistics, around one million tons of household waste is accumulated in Baku and beyond each year. There are three household waste landfills around Baku.
On May 5, the official exchange rate is 0.8034 manat to $1.
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