Water advisory council floundering

The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa has announced the establishment of a five-member water regulatory body that will set water tariffs and water prices.
He said a public notice will be shortly published in the newspapers calling for suitably qualified Namibians to apply to serve on the regulatory body.
Mutorwa stressed that the positions are open only to Namibians. He further said those who apply must have the relevant experience and expertise in water service delivery that includes costing, calculating prices or setting tariffs and the assessment of the operational efficiency of service providers.
According to the notice, the candidates must also have experience in law, water management, water engineering, finance, trade and water conservation.
Mutorwa made this announcement when he announced the first members of the Water Advisory Council which was established in terms of the Water Resources Management Act.
Mutorwa said the 11-member council is an advisory body to the minister of water and government on water-related issues. He added that members of the council are appointed based on skills, knowledge and experience appropriate to the functions of the council.
While several of the appointed members were not present at the announcement, Mutorwa said he expected all the members, and not alternate members, to be present at the first meeting that will take place on 5 October.
“Anybody who is not at the first meeting will be replaced,” he warned.
The minister said although alternative members have been appointed to ensure that the council’s activities are not stifled when members are absent and the council is unable to form a quorum, he further warned that members that are absent without a valid excuse for a certain period, will be replaced.
The chairperson of the council will be announced during the first meeting, as well as members from institutions who have not yet nominated their representatives.
The members who have thus far been appointed are Peninia Ingaita and Raphael Mokaleng from the Association of Regional Councils in Namibia.
Katrina Shimbuli and Muesse Kazapua from the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia were also appointed.
Mutorwa said from water services, Onni Iithete was appointed and Betty Muyatwa from the Water Basin Committees while Gernot Eggbert was nominated from the agricultural sector.
From the commercial sector, Lapitomhinda Hashingola was appointed while the mining sector still has to nominate a candidate.
Mutorwa said the Engineering Council did nominate someone but the term of the council needs to be renewed. Alfons Mosimane is representing the academic institutions on the council.

ELLANIE SMIT