Transparency, accountability key to achieving SDG goals in water-sanitation: Experts
The call was made during a seminar titled “Water Integrity Management: Experience, Challenges, and Way Forward,” organised by NGO Forum for Public Health
Public health experts have stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the water and sanitation sector to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which ensures clean water and sanitation for all.
The call was made during a seminar titled "Water Integrity Management: Experience, Challenges, and Way Forward," organised by NGO Forum for Public Health on Wednesday (22 January).
Funded by the Germany-based Water Integrity Network (WIN), the seminar focused on strengthening the services provided by WASA and city corporations, making them more citizen-centric and efficient.
NGO Forum's Executive Director SMA Rashid, who presided over the event, highlighted the organisation's collaboration with WASAs in Chattogram, Khulna, and Rajshahi, as well as their current work with Rangpur City Corporation.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
He emphasised the need for increased transparency and accountability for more effective citizen-focused service delivery, noting that Bangladesh is lagging behind in meeting SDG 6 targets.
The event featured key officials, including the additional secretary of the local government ministry and managing director of Dhaka WASA, Md Fazlur Rahman, and joint secretary of the Local Government Division, Mohammad Saiful Islam Mazumder.
Mary Galvin, program lead of WIN, while presenting the research findings and recommendations, revealed that 26% of allocated funds in water projects are lost due to corruption, lack of transparency, and poor risk management, leading to project failures.
She also shed light on sensitive issues such as harassment in the water supply sector.
Professor Tanvir Ahmed from BUET, in his keynote, highlighted the significant funding gap for achieving SDG 6, stressing that corruption consumes one-fourth of available resources.
He also stressed the need for improved regulatory mechanisms and alignment among ministries.
Md Fazlur Rahman urged for collective efforts to reduce gaps between service providers and recipients. He also advocated for increased funding and a shift in mindset to treat public service delivery as a duty rather than a favour.
Joint Secretary Saiful Islam Mazumder emphasised the importance of robust coordination among stakeholders to improve service delivery and meet the growing demands for water and sanitation.
The seminar concluded with a commitment to prioritise public awareness and participatory governance to achieve SDG 6 and ensure sustainable water and sanitation services for all.
