JEDDAH, 23 March 2005 — Saudi Arabia’s vision to meet its future water needs was outlined yesterday at a forum held on the occasion of World Water Day.
The presentation was made by Loay Ahmad Al-Musallam, deputy minister for planning and development at the Ministry of Water and Electricity (MOWE). The forum was organized by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI).
“MOWE has adopted a challenging vision to be a world class utility in meeting urban water demand by transforming the water sector,” Al-Musallam told a large gathering of businessmen, academics, and chamber officials. “The ministry is targeting key areas such as water demand management, organizational restructuring and privatization of its services,” he added.
He explained that the ministry had invited several international agencies to conduct full operational audit. “The MOWE is poised to roll out first audit contract around April that would pave the way for first PPP (public private partnership) by the beginning of next year,” he said, adding “successful PPP can lead to total privatization if desired.”
The ministry has also initiated development of a five-year strategic transformation plan (STP) for water sector reforms.
At present, seven regional water directorates primarily manage water supply and sanitation services in the Kingdom. The STP would streamline and reform the working of these units.
Al-Musallam said the ministry was also planning to introduce legislation for conservation of water and was working on a rebate program on household appliances to be offered as an incentive for users to participate in the program to use water-saving appliances.
Presentations were also made by Dr. Adil A. Bushnak, chairman of the infrastructure committee of JCCI, who is also chairman of Bushnak Group, and Dr. Walid A. Abderrahman, professor of water resources management at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, and manager of the research institute’s water section.
Dr. Bushnak said the United Nations has been marking World Water Day for 13 years with this year’s theme being: “Water for Life.”
“The UN is also encouraging people all over the world to sign a pledge, and commit themselves to work with others to solve the water problem,” he said.
Bushnak said as per an international understanding to reduce by half the number of people who are not connected to clean water or waste water disposal system, by the year 2015, Saudi Arabia would have to connect 15 million people in 10 years, which is more than the number of people connected now.
“That will need billions of dollars. As per a close estimate, at least SR100 billion just for the water network for the next 20 years,” he added.
