KAMPALA -The Managing Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Dr Silver Mugisha, has asked Africa water engineers to join the World Water body and influence decisions that promote and address water, hygiene and sanitation challenges in Africa.
Dr Mugisha said African utility companies need to share their experiences, successes and failures to learn from each other to because European members countries may not be able to understand the poor hygiene and sanitation challenges that African countries face.
He was speaking at the 79th Africa Water Association (AfWA) scientific and technical council conference in Kampala on Monday.
AfWA, formerly known as Union of African Water Suppliers (UAWS), is a professional association of establishments, enterprises and utilities operating in the areas of drinking water, sanitation and environment in Africa. AfWA has over 100 utilities members from some 40 countries across Africa.
However, Dr Mugisha said water and sanitation engineers in Africa should subscribe to the International Water Association (IWA) and begin participating in decision making in the international water body.
“My position as the Vice President of IWA expires in September and I would like to stand for president IWA because of our representation at IWA, most decisions taken there are not in the interest of African countries. Workshops alone have not been effective in accelerating delivery of water and sanitation allover Africa. You need to discuss experiences, successes and failures. As you plan to succeed, other emergencies come in,” he said.
Dr. Chris Ebal, the NWSC board chairman, emphasized that water challenges are global and that countries must work together to address challenges of deforestation and climate change.
Dr. Papa Samba Diop, the President of the Scientific and Technical Council of AfWA, commended Dr Mugisha for supporting the association.
“The Africa Water Association was born in 1980s because it was felt that African Executives need to come together to create conditions for improving performance of water utilities in the continent,” he said.
The four-day conference which opened at Bugolobi training center, will close on Friday. It is being held under the theme; “Harnessing ICT to accelerate sustainable water and sanitation for all in Africa”.
