National Water and Sewerage Corporation

Opportunities and Challenges of Serving the Informal

Settlements

By: Dr. William MuhairweManaging Director NWSC

CONTENT

■ Definition of Informal Settlements■ Situation analysis of Informal Settlements■ Why Serve the Informal Settlements

□ Macro point of view□ Micro Point of View

■ Challenges■ Solutions■ Conclusion ■ Way forward

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Definition of Informal Settlements

■ In Uganda, informal settlements are in pockets in the different urban centres.

■ The informal settlements are more in the larger towns compared to smaller towns, ranging from 20% - 60%.

■ Informal settlements are characterized by:□ Low income populations□ High concentration of people□ Squalid dwellings□ Poor services and □ limited and unplanned infrastructure.

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Situation Analysis of Informal Settlements

■ For Water, Reliance on; shallow wells, unprotected springs, rudimental rain harvesting.■ For sanitation: There is poor drainage, Shallow pit latrines due to the low water

table, Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste.■ Social Evils such as theft, violence,

prostitution etc.

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Why Serve the Poor

Macro Point of View

■Social Responsibility■Political Mandate, PEAP, NDP,

Presidents Manifesto.■Water as a Basic right for Health, in

line with MDGs■Equity in Service Delivery.

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Why Serve the Poor

Micro Point of ViewMitigation of the following adverse

consequences■ Insecurity of installations and infrastructure■ Reduction in illegal water use.■ Reduction in Non Revenue Water.On the other hand serving the informal

settlements hasthe following positive attributes■ Positive image for the Corporation■ The poor are good payers■ Prepaid meters on kiosks results into a

collection efficiency of over 100%

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Challenges

■ Lack of adequate resources to effect access to the poor.

■ Failure to discern between the Rich and Poor

■ Lack of a regulatory framework for services to the poor leading to over pricing and disconnection due to non payment.

■ Lack of clear measurable indicators for service to the poor.

■ Poor Physical planning■ Transient populations■ Limited installation of pre-paid meters

because of high cost■ Inappropriate land tenure systems

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Solutions

■ Need for an Enabling Policy Framework■ Board and Management support to the plight of informal

settlements■ Establishment of a Dedicated Pro-Poor Unit, with a fully

fledged staffing■ Geographic targeting of connections (e.g. OBA Project)■ Use of Yard taps as an alternative to water kiosks.■ Installation of prepaid meters for public stand posts.■ Community involvement and participation■ Need to have targeted subventions from

Government/Donors to bridge the financing Gap.■ Adoption and Formulation of SMART pro-poor targets

with the utilities policy framework■ Adoption of an appropriate Tariff Structure where the

poor are subsidized.

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Conclusion

■ Provision of service to informal settlements requires a multi faceted approach.

■ With the rapid urbanization, utilities have no choice but to seek solutions for serving the informal settlements.

■ There is need for a clear institution framework if informal settlements are to be effectively served.

Remember: “be the change you want to see in the World”

(Mahatma Gandhi)

Thank you for your Attention