WB official for ending political interference in KWSB affairs

The increase the efficiency of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), World Bank Lead Urban Specialist Jaafar Friaa, on Wednesday, called for separating the water supplying unit from political interference.

He was addressing a two-day workshop on ‘Reform led investment plan’ in collaboration with the World Bank, the Sindh government and the KWSB.

Presided over by Sindh local government minister Jam Khan Shoro, the event also had the city mayor Waseem Akhtar in attendance besides other WB officials.

Friaa called for amending the KWSB Act so as to revisit the terms on which the utility’s board was formed and also the role and responsibilities of its management.

Friaa said a serious crisis was staring the KWSB in the face in the shape of weak recovery of bills, accounting system, coupled with the inefficiency of the labour.

According to the WB official, the KWSB’s recovery had since the past five years declined to 61 percent from 59, adding, that less than half of 1.7 million consumers paid their monthly water bills.

Friaa further added that 6.5 employees were assigned to look over 1,000 connections, which was a violation of the international benchmark of only two people.

Water and sanitation specialist Neil Macleod, member of WB in South Africa, said the KWSB had a shortage of trained staff.

In his opinion, the water utility’s training budget should be five percent of the salaries budget, excluding bonuses, medical and allowances. “We should spend 2.5 percent on salaries.” He further added that customer management was not recognised as a key aspect of KWSB’s organizational structure and system.

Local govt minister, city mayor

Sindh minister for local government Jam Khan Shoro while speaking at the workshop acknowledged the recommendations given by the WB for development and betterment of the metropolis. He claimed that the provincial government would attempt to implement the suggestions.

Shoro said measures were being taken to improve the water and drainage system of the city, for which the S-III sewerage system was already under construction.

He further said that we would work with the city mayor and other local bodies.

Mayor Karachi, Waseem Akhtar, speaking on the occasion asserted that KWSB’s performance needed to be improved, whereas its board should be formed by electing members while experts should also be made a part of the water board.

He further expressed interest in working with the WB to develop the city.

“We will be able to identify the social and economical problems with the help of the World Bank,” the mayor said. He further added that the KWSB’s system failed owing to the wrong rulers.