Dr. Sayed Ismail, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, chaired a virtual meeting to discuss updates on the water and sanitation sector. The meeting included senior officials from the sector, such as the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater, the National Authority for Potable Water and Sanitation, the Executive Authority for Potable Water and Sanitation Projects, the Regulatory Authority for Water and Sanitation Services, and heads of regional water companies and executive bodies.
Key Discussion Points
- Sector Performance and Expansion:
- The meeting emphasized enhancing the performance of water and sanitation service providers to meet sustainability and quality standards.
- A focus was placed on expanding services to underserved and newly developed areas, ensuring accessibility for urban and rural populations.
- Support for Local Industry:
- Dr. Ismail stressed the importance of promoting local manufacturing in water purification and sanitation treatment equipment.
- Coordination with local factories for supply chain management and product quality testing was highlighted to support domestic industries.
- Emergency Preparedness:
- Plans to address rainfall and floods were reviewed, with each company coordinating with the ministry’s crisis management unit.
- Maintenance and operation of water purification plants were discussed, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Citizen Engagement and Service Improvement:
- Rapid response to citizen complaints and continuous service improvement were prioritized.
- Regular coordination between executive bodies and companies was encouraged to enhance citizen satisfaction.
- Leadership Development:
- The importance of nurturing a new generation of leaders within the sector was highlighted, focusing on young talents for second and third-tier leadership roles.
Conclusion
Dr. Ismail concluded by urging continued monitoring and reporting in line with directives from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Minister of Housing. He emphasized improving citizen satisfaction, ensuring service quality, and achieving sustainability in water and sanitation services.