Addis Ababa:The draft of the final report aimed at strengthening financial capacity and reducing water waste in the cities of Assosa, Gambella, and Semera-Logia was reviewed at a consultation forum. The forum was organized by the Ministry of Water and Energy in collaboration with the Italian SWS Consulting Engineering firm, under the Second Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project.
According to Ministry of Water and Energy, the workshop, held at the Getafe Hotel in Addis Ababa, featured opening remarks by Nuredin Mohammed, Executive Director of the Sanitation Infrastructure Development Division. Mohammed noted that since the project's inception, the consulting firm has conducted various studies and assessments in the three cities, producing multiple results and documents for each work unit.
The consultation forum, described as the final workshop by Ato Tadesse Kebede, Senior Electromechanical Specialist of the Second Cities Project, focused on the Water Waste Reduction Strategy and a 10-year business plan. Kebede emphasized the project's priority on reducing non-revenue water production over constructing new major projects.
The forum provided a platform for participants to offer comments and inputs, which will be incorporated into the final report by the consulting firm. The completion of the report will transition the project to the next implementation phase.
Presentations by SWS Consulting Engineering Joint Venture (JV) Leader and Project Director Engineer Giancarlo Cigarini and other consulting team experts highlighted the study results, strategies, and business plans developed for the project. Discussions centered on strengthening the financial capacity of drinking water service institutions, reducing uncollected revenue and water waste, increasing operational efficiency, and ensuring sustainable water services.
The forum was attended by Ministry of Water and Energy experts, coordinators of the Second Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project, and representatives from the water and sewage service organizations of the involved cities. Additionally, representatives from the Joint Venture of SWS, AI ENGINEERING, Hydroaid, and SMAT companies presented technical solutions and research results, contributing to the forum's objectives to enhance the final report and lay groundwork for further pilot implementation.
Source Ministry of Water and Energy
