According to a statement sent to VerAngola, the project, whose official launch ceremony took place at the Kifangondo Water Treatment Plant (WTP), is a government initiative, "with EPAL as the project owner, in partnership with several stakeholders, including Mitrelli, which aims to modernize and expand the production and distribution systems in the provinces of Luanda and Icolo e Bengo, with the aim of substantially improving the quality of life of the population."
Upon implementation, the project "will directly benefit more than nine million people, ensuring them continuous and reliable access to quality drinking water," the statement states.
With the main objective of strengthening "EPAL's operational capacity through improved water production, the rehabilitation and expansion of the distribution network, and the optimization of technical and commercial management," 'Proágua' also focuses on "knowledge and technology transfer, promoting institutional capacity building and operational autonomy in the medium and long term."
On the occasion, Carlos Araújo, director of Mitrelli's 'Proágua' project, considered that "'Proágua' is a project of structural transformation, but also a profoundly human one."
"It symbolizes the strength of cooperation between sectors and our joint ability to modernize the water supply system in Angola, with sustainable and technological solutions," he added.
In turn, João Germano e Silva, Mitrelli's Business Development Director, stated that "Mitrelli's global experience in engineering and water management will be fully dedicated to the success of 'Proágua'."
"Our ambition to raise operational standards and build local capacity ensures that each investment yields tangible benefits for communities, exemplifying how technical knowledge and social commitment can work together to guarantee universal access to drinking water," he added, as quoted in the statement.
A delegation from the Luanda Public Water Company (EPAL-EP), led by executive directors Kubikiladia Garcia and Engo Kelson Domingos, was present at the launch ceremony, along with members of the project's implementing companies and representatives of the inspection teams.
"At the ceremony, the commitments that begin the implementation of this ambitious project were formalized, with the signing of the consignment agreement by Kubikiladia Garcia, executive director of EPAL-EP, Patrícia Barbeitos, executive director of Mitrelli, and other representatives of the entities involved," the statement reads.
'Proágua' is structured into three components
According to the statement, the project is structured into three essential components. "Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly universal access to safe, affordable drinking water, 'Proágua' is structured into three fundamental components: Water Production, Distribution and Loss Reduction, and Commercial Management and Human Capital Training," the statement reads.
The focus is on the first component, "which includes increasing water treatment capacity through the rehabilitation of the Kifangondo, Luanda Sul, Calumbo, and Kilamba Water Treatment Plants, as well as the construction of two Compact Decentralized Units (UCDs) in Kilamba and Zango."
Also planned are "six desalination units, 15 wells will be drilled with the corresponding civil engineering works, and several public fountains will be constructed". Also planned are the "installation of new pipes and pumps and the acquisition of essential chemical reagents for water treatment."
Commercial Management and Human Capital Training includes the "installation of 5000 meters for domestic consumers and 4000 smart meters for large consumers."
Also planned are the "migration of EPAL's customer database to the SAP system, the creation of a customer service platform, and a digital complaints management system."
Furthermore, this component also includes "an institutional diagnosis, a staff training and development plan, and the renovation of EPAL's retail stores in Marçal, Cazenga, Catete, and Maianga, aiming for more efficient and citizen-friendly service."
