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Speeding up Implementation of the Drinking Water Program

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN (10 November, 2005) - A set of recommendations on speedy implementation of the Drinking Water Sector Program for 2002-2010 (the Program) was finalized during the workshop held today in Astana. This presents a major outcome of the Government's effort undertaken in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan through the technical assistance project financed under the Japan Special Fund (JSF).

The TA project of $150,000 for Strengthening the Water Supply Sector Program aimed to facilitate implementation and ensure sustainability of the Program particularly in rural areas. A team of experts led by international water supply consultant Arthur McIntosh was tasked to help develop (i) procedures to speed up implementation of the Program, (ii) monitor implementation progress and (iii) offer practical solutions for sustainable operation and maintenance.

Stakeholders from water sector and Government agencies, local authorities, consultants, suppliers and contractors under ADB assisted sector projects, as well as international organizations, discussed the TA findings and endorsed a sector agenda to ensure the Program's further progress.

The raised status and expansion of the Committee for Water Resources (CWR) and recognizing that "Time is of the Essence" are the key factors to effective implementation of the Program. More specifically, there was a call for pre-qualification of consultants, suppliers and contractors and transparent negotiation of all-inclusive (investigate, design, construct, operate) contracts. These would be based on unit rates per person actually served with piped water. To test this new approach, which has the potential to considerably reduce Program's implementation, it was recommended to implement pilot projects for qualifying settlements in one rayon in each oblast as soon as possible.

There is a need to formulate the Program policy and monitoring and make the results publicly available. A documentary about the Program produced by Khabar Broadcasting Company under the TA initiative was shown for the first time at the workshop. It will be shown on TV and is aimed at increasing public and local authority awareness in rural areas.

Nurlan Atshabarov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Water Resources (CWR) said in conclusion that continuous efforts on strengthening CWR's capacity to improve its implementing capabilities are crucial for the success of the Program.

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