Mauritius: A new water resources bill, taking into consideration the water requirement of the country and the development of the water sector within a well-defined legal framework for the mobilisation, management, development and conservation of water resources in Mauritius, will soon be introduced in the parliament, stated the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Georges Pierre Lesjongard.
The Minister made this statement this morning at launching a national seminar on World Water Day 2023 at Le Meridien Hotel in Pointe aux Piments. The Engineering Director of Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development Facility (CRIDF), Leonard Magara, the Strategic Planning/Team Leader of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Mr Robert Banamwana, the Central Water Authority General Manager, Mr Ramprakash Maunthrooa and other personalities were present.
The event on the theme “Accelerating Change”, is an initiative of the Central Water Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities aiming to solve the water and sanitation crisis and encourage people to act in their own lives to change the way they use, consume and manage water.
In his address, Minister Lesjongard said that the seminar’s purpose is to bring together relevant stakeholders to discuss and come up with proposed recommendations to guide policies, measures, and programmes to be implemented to improve the water sector.
He indicated that CRIDF proposed a 5-year water sector reform program that will enable Mauritius to build a comprehensive, equitable, and sustainable water infrastructure, which, he said, is critical for the long-term enhancement of the island’s climate resilience, water security, food security, and the quality of life of the population.
Globally, he indicated that one-quarter of the world’s population lacks safe drinking water, and almost half of the global population lacks safe sanitation. He observed that in Mauritius, population growth, irrigation requirements, growing industrial, commercial, and touristic activities, land use practices, and climate change impact are the major challenges to meeting the growing water demand.
The government, he underlined, is leaving no stone unturned to harness additional water sources. A water roadmap for 2020-2024 was developed in May 2021 to improve the water supply service in the country, he recalled.
The Minister further dwelt on several upfront projects to reduce the impact of water deficits in the country. They include redesigning the whole water supply chain, implementing several short-term measures in black spot areas, and implementing facilities through the Development Bank of Mauritius to acquire a free water tank and pump.
He also mentioned that the ministry is discussing cooperation with friendly countries in the water sector, particularly regarding desalination, re-use of treated water, and application of technology in water operations.
The government is also envisaging a mobile desalination plant to cater for water deficit in the dry season in specific regions where the scope for mobilisation of additional ground or surface water is relatively limited, he added.
Changes are required at all levels; we need to be more aware and sensitised to water as our lifeblood. If we aspire to a prosperous nation, we must preserve our precious water resources for the generations to come, affirmed the Energy and Public Utilities.
As for the Engineering Director of CRIDF, he stated that the day symbolises a call for action on the part of each and every one in protecting and using water sustainably for the present and future generations. SIDS countries like Mauritius are amongst the most water-scarce countries around the world. He, therefore, underlined the need to address regional water security through an integrated regional approach to ensure the provision of water to consumers.
For his part, Banamwana said that the day aims to send a strong message of the fundamental importance of water in everyone’s day-to-day life. He deplored that the world is off track on Sustainable Development Goals 6, adding that dysfunction throughout the water cycle is undermining progress on all major global issues from health to industry, disasters, and peace.
“Rapid transformative change is needed, and everyone needs to play their part. He affirmed that every action, no matter how small, will make a difference”, he affirmed.