BY LORETTA B MANELE
Having the right structures in government is vital to enhance water sustainability of water supply and sanitation.
Gustavo Saltiel, Strategic Adviser on Water Supply and Sanitation with the Water Global Practice (Water GP) at the World Bank stressed this when he spoke at the recent 16th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association (PWWA) Conference in Honiara last month.
Addressing delegates and local representatives, he said the objective of the World Bank is to enhance the sustainability of water supply and sanitation services through improved use of the reform tools available to governments.
Saltiel stressed that countries may construct beautiful infrastructures, however they will be abandoned if they don’t have structures in place.
“Yes, you will build beautiful infrastructure, eventually which will be abandoned in a few years because you don’t have the structures that make them work,” he said.
Saltiel stated that governments can influence the sector by operating at the policy, institutional and regulatory level.
Talking about policies, he mentioned that there are different ways of defining that.
Saltiel then asked the audience if their governments identify water supply, wastewater, and sanitation as a priority sector.
“Overall, for the country, for the economy. Is it a priority or not?
“Because if it’s not, what are we talking about? If it’s only your priority as a utility, not much is going to happen. Is there a national target your country has committed to universal access?” he questioned.
Saltiel went on to state that while it’s very easy to say that you will achieve universal access, the real challenge is how you will achieve it.
“It’s very easy to do. It’s very easy to say, I will achieve universal access, but how will you do it? Is there development plans that include water supply and sanitation?” he asked.
Reiterating the importance of structures in governments to coordinate the work of water utilities he further asked the audience whether their governments give them incentives to carry out their work.
“You are utilities. Do they give you incentives to go to the poor areas of your towns, of your cities, to go to rural communities? Those who have the responsibility to serve rural. Why would you do it if there is not a concrete policy and incentive?”, he asked.
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