JERUSALEM, December 22, 2005 (WAFA) - The United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) will carryout the task of clearing and recycling the rubble produced by the destruction of colonies in the Gaza strip.

UNDP said in a press release issued Thursday that "with over 1.2 million tons of rubble to be cleared and recycled, the project will cost US $24.7 million, which will be paid by the Government of Israel, and will take over a year and half to complete".

UNDP will also move rapidly in clearing the rubble to allow the Palestinians the opportunity to use the land by June, 2006. Once cleared the rubble will be grinded in a designated location south of the Gaza Strip-a process that will take a whole year to complete.

Composed mostly of concrete and some metal, the rubble will be recycled into a grind that will be used for the much needed rehabilitation and paving of roads in the Gaza Strip, UNDP said.

Affirming the UNDP's commitment to lend a helping hand, the Officer in Charge of UNDP/PAPP in Jerusalem, Ms. Minna Trykko said: "we are very pleased with the trust that all parties have placed in UNDP/PAPP to carry out this task".

She added that "this project is important because it not only paves the way for Palestinians to be able to use the land as soon as possible for development plans, but also because it will generate hundreds of jobs for unemployed Palestinian labourers, contributing to the fight against the rising tide of poverty in the Gaza strip".

A.D (23:00 P) (21:00 GMT)