Transparency and accountability in water sector stressed in the dialogue

[Voice, Mymensingh, 18 September 2008]

A dialogue on water sector transparency and accountability has been held in Mymensingh Pourashava auditorium organized by Voice, a Dhaka based research and advocacy organization. Mayor of Mymensingh pourashava, Advocate Mahmud Al-Noor Tarek presided over the occasion while Additional District Commissioner of Mymensingh Mohammad Mohsin attended as a special guest. Representatives from local government and engineering department, NGOs, CSOs, professional bodies, business communities, journalists, members and councilors of municipality attended the function. The dialogue was moderated by Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, executive director of Voice.

The speakers in the dialogue said that water is a human right and every citizen has the right to access to the pure drinking water while they stressed that the government service agencies and pourashava should realize the rights of people. The dialogue identified the key features of water sector transparency and accountability raising the concerns of citizens who demanded a transparent and accountable mechanism so that they could easily avail the water service from the municipality. The speakers emphasized the importance of forming citizen committee to ensure water justice and felt the necessity to include citizen’s participation in supplying and managing the water sector projects demanding their participation in the decision making process. Nazrul Mallick, a social activist demanded pourashava should be more accountable to people. Among others, Rezaul Kabir from Muktagacha pourashava, Shahid Amin Rumi , an NGO activist, retired engineer Humayun Kabir, Shishir Kumar Roy from NGO Forum, Advocate Khurram also spoke on the occasion.

Pourashava Mayor allegedly said that the consumers are engaged in over-pumping and engaged in illegal water connections. Pourashava tried to give drive to fine and realize the outstanding bills but the consumers seem very skeptic to pay bills. He also admitted for wider participation of citizens in the process.

Md. Azizul Haque, superintendent, pourashava water supply system mentioned that water is a right no doubt, but one should also understand that unauthorized connections shouldn’t go unpunished. He also stressed the budget limitations and lack of human resource to expand the connections and services in the municipal areas.

AEM Hasibul Islam, executive engineer of Mymensingh municipality also said that due to lack of human resource the department can’t provide service to the citizens but the problem is to solved soon since a project has already been undertaken, he said. He stressed importance to the consumers to pay regular bill to get service regularly.

Due to lack of access to clean water that causes waterborne diseases, people die every year, speakers also said in the dialogue. The speakers also reiterated that pourashava and government service delivery agencies should bear the responsibility. The speakers demanded immediately undertake measures to combat against unsafe and unclean water to save lives of the millions. The speakers also mentioned that due to poor water governance and dysfunctional institutional arrangement, people are not getting proper services. They stressed to take immediate steps to ensure strong water governance in the area.

Sajeda Akter Saju, organizing secretary of Mymensingh Mahila Parishad said that water sector projects are formulated without any people’s participation and also the implementation doesn’t consider people’s opinion. And because of its mono-centric management and delivery system it undermines democratic values and causes water sector finances ineffective. Participants stressed that people’s participation in water delivery management and water sector projects that can help reducing non-transparent ways and water sector corruption.

Capacity building in water sector management is an important tool to enhance accountability mechanism while some participants stressed for information disclosure and integration of information rights and communication technology to enhance better service towards consumers.

Speakers suggested for a participatory mechanism and form a citizen charter to ensure water justice and ensure water sector transparency and accountability. Speakers suggested a participatory policy framework that should include multi-stakeholder representatives, transparent procurement system, information disclosure, proper monitoring mechanism, accountable guidelines and better water delivery services to the consumers can ensure overall strong water governance.