The Network of Asian River Basin Organizations (NARBO) developed a performance benchmarking system and peer review process in 2004. This was formally launched at the 2nd Southeast Asia Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia in September 2005. To pilot test the benchmarking tool, NARBO partnered with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), which is now taking the lead in the benchmarking work together with the Asian Development Bank.
The process was piloted in Indonesia’s Jasa Tirta II Public Corporation in November. This was preceded by a training for senior water management professionals from river basin organizations (RBOs) on the use of the NARBO performance benchmarking tool. The training concluded with the certification of 15 peer reviewers. The second RBO peer review focused on the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL).
The Mahaweli basin is the largest river basin of Sri Lanka, covering an area of over 10,000 sq. km. and serving as the highest provider of irrigation water. It also substantially contributes to hydropower operations as well as meeting the other water needs of the communities living in it.
The MASL is mandated to develop water resources in Mahaweli or any other river to promote irrigation schemes, hydro-power generation, township development, etc. It is also responsible for providing settler services in special areas declared for development of irrigation settlements.
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The session enabled NARBO peer reviewers to review the performance of MASL and validate the results of MASL's self-assessment of its performance. It also enabled MASL officials to identify its strengths and weaknesses and promote performance efficiencies.
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Four of the 15 certified NARBO peer reviewers—representing the Jasa Tirta II Public Corporation (Indonesia), Laguna Lake Development Authority (Philippines), Ping River Basin Committee (Thailand), and the Red River Basin Organization (Viet Nam)—conducted the review.
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The training was held at the Mahaweli River Basin in Sri Lanka.
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