Some advice for Minister Gonzales

THE EDITOR: This letter seeks to offer some advice to the Minister of Public Utilities, Marvin Gonzales. Before I do so, here’s some history. It may enable him to determine just how much the operations of WASA have improved – or whether there has been any improvement.

About 40 years ago, Curtis Knight did a detailed study of the provision of water in the country. It was done as part of the multi-sectoral Caroni River Basin Study. We reported to the Ministry of Planning. He should take a look at it, if it is available.

To symbolise the fact that the major problem was water being lost in the distribution process, there was a picture of a broken standpipe gushing water on the cover of the report. A few months after it was submitted I asked him what the response at WASA was like and he dejectedly told me he had heard that they were “laughing” at his report.

Gonzales should ask WASA how much of the water that is presently won is lost before it reaches consumers.

Other questions that the minister can ask those who run WASA:

1. Are reports about leaks recorded in a computerised system each and every time a report is made? Do the people who take the reports identify themselves and are they and all those who were responsible for follow-up noted by name in the system?

2. What is the average time that it takes for a leak to be repaired?

3. How many times have the same leak been repaired in a one-two-year period?

4. What is the average size of a gang that deals with broken mains and is that an optimal size?

5. Are plastic pipes certified as being adequate for use as water mains?

6. Are performance criteria used to judge the effectiveness of employees?

The minister should have a competent research firm do a survey among the employees so that they can identify problems and potential solutions.

As with all state enterprises – throughout the decades – political interference has been responsible for much maladministration. Once he is confident he has the right people and the right plan, Gonzales should defend them so that they can get the job done.

Good luck, Mr Minister.

ARTHUR NURSE

via e-mail