Background
The Prime Minister’s Unit PMU-2 within the Directorate General for Drainage and Sewerage Systems led the Cambodian side of an implementation support mission with the World Bank for the Water Supply and Sewerage Improvement Project (WaSSIP).
WaSSIP’s scope encompasses development of sewerage collection systems and wastewater infrastructure alongside institutional strengthening and operational capacity building. The project incorporates environmental, social, and gender management measures and establishes requirements for operation and maintenance (O&M) of constructed infrastructure.
Key Developments
The implementation support mission opened on 31 August 2026 and was scheduled to run through 11 September 2026 to review project progress, identify constraints, and define priority actions to advance implementation. During the opening session, the Director General delivered a presentation on progress, priority tasks, and specific areas including infrastructure construction, institutional strengthening, environmental and social safeguards, gender, and O&M arrangements.
MPWT requested that the World Bank consider providing approximately three additional years of operational and maintenance support following the project’s scheduled completion date of 31 December 2026 to support sustainable handover and capacity development for responsible agencies.
Institutional Role
MPWT’s Directorate General for Drainage and Sewerage Systems functions as the national implementing authority for the urban water and wastewater components covered by WaSSIP, coordinating project management through PMU-2. The World Bank participated as an implementation support partner to assess technical, institutional, and safeguard performance and to recommend priority remedial actions.
Operational Implications
The formal request for additional O&M support reflects a focus on sustaining infrastructure performance after construction and on strengthening the operational capacity of local agencies charged with service delivery. Continued donor engagement for O&M typically targets activities such as staff training, establishment of O&M protocols, and transitional financing arrangements for early operations.
Official Source
Official announcement: Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) Facebook post, 31 August 2026. Source: MPWT Facebook.
