Koen@Bamako part 2

A few hectic weeks have past. We (as a family) are up and running for 6 weeks now. The initial difficulties related to getting used to our new house, neighbourhood and school are now slowly disappearing. School starts one hour earlier than in the Netherlands (7.30 AM), so our whole rythm has changed. We get up at 6 AM, and go to bed one (or two) hour(s) earlier. The climate is intense (humidity is very high right now, the sun is intense) and the city is full, busy and bustling. All the new people, colleagues and classmates make it a dynamic time. It is nice and interesting to work in such a new environment, but it does take a bit of energy in the beginning.

Work-wise, a lot is happening. For all projects and partnerships that are up and running, various incoming missions of Waternet- and Dutch Water Authorities (DWA) colleagues, have taken place. The last week of August, Elke Wezenaar and Michel Zandvliet visited Bamako to work with SOMAGEP (water supply utility of Mali), on the audit audit on the implementation of the (IWA-developed) Aquarating tool. The Dutch Development Bank FMO will base their loan conditions to SOMAGEP on the results of the Aquarating results and the consecutive audit.

The week after, Marina Gaton (Waternet) and two collegaues of Waterschap Rijn & IJssel (WRIJ) were here to work with ANGESEM (the Malian waste water treatment agency) on the improvement and optimalization of their plants. We also prepared the incoming Blue Deal mission of Annette Moron (WN) and Bram Zandstra (WRIJ) during the last week of September. Their visit resulted in a draft version of a Blue Deal proposal for phase I (2019-2022).

Marina Gaton (World Waternet) at work at ANGESEM

In between, we accomodated several other incoming visits. The deputy director of DGIS of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Birgitta Tazelaar, visited Niger and Mali (together with 4 other colleagues of her department). A new Sahel Startegy is currently developed by the Ministry and this mission was to increase the understanding of the current situation and discuss opportunities. I was invited to an information-sharing session at the residence of the Dutch Ambassador. We discussed the impact of climate change on the political stability and safety situation of Mali.

Visit of Birgitta Tazelaar, deputy director of DGIS of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to water production plant of SOMAGEP.

On Friday 21 sept, the delegation visited the SOMAGEP water production plant at Djicoroni Para in Bamako. After a short introduction by the general director of SOMAGEP (Mr. Kane), we had the opportunity to tour the plant. There was ample opportunity to explain about the partnership between Waternet and SOMAGEP and how DGIS is supporting this with their various programs (VIA WATER, WaterWorX, Blue Deal, YEP, etc). They were visibly impressed by what we had achieved.

Another new opportunity arose last month, by connecting RVO and SOMAGEP. Mr. Laurent Minere and Ms. Isabelle Vreeke (both RVO) were in Mali for ‘other business’. I invited them to come (and discuss matters with) SOMAGEP. Because of good vibes and ample opportunities, a second meeting was organized with a bigger number of people to discuss the potential for a Develop2Build (D2B) project. We are now formulating an identification document that will be judged by the RVO-committee in November. With a D2B grant, all necessary studies can be executed to start an infrastructural project. We hope to be able to attract funding for SOMAGEP to further develop the 74 secondary centres that were recently transferred to them.