Service Contract No 2007 / 147-446 Strategic ... - Swaziland

StakeholderRiver BasinAuthorities (RBA)Irrigation DistrictsWater UsersAssociationsCoordinatingAssembly of NonGovernmentOrganisations(CANGO)Description / relevance to the NASRiver Basin Authorities (RBAs) are foreseen under the Water Act (2003). FiveRBAs have been established to implement a management plan under theWater Resources Management Plan. The composition of a RBA will beestablished by regulation.Powers, duties and functions of RBAs include:• to keep a data base of basin information, including water availability andwater demand data, and to monitor and keep record of changes in waterconditions in the basin;• to issue, amend and renew or suspend water permits;• to impose water restrictions on all water users in times of water shortage;• to investigate the need for water resources development and managementand to advise the Authority on the need to appoint Project Boards;• to investigate the need for inter-basin transfers, to negotiate it with otherbasin authorities, and to advise the Authority in respect thereof;• to arbitrate user disputes;• to monitor and control water quality and enforce effluent regulations;• subject to the approval of the Authority, to levy and collect rates and chargeto defray part or all costs of the RBA;• have authority over Irrigation Districts, Project Boards and User Associations.Irrigation Districts are foreseen under the Water Act (2003). These may beestablished by the Minister (MNRE) upon recommendation of the NationalWater Authority. An Irrigation District is a Body Corporate; it exercises controlover the operation and maintenance of works in the district and the distributionof permitted volumes of water in accordance with permits and for the benefit ofpersons in the district and such other functions as may be set out in the noticeof incorporation.Permit holders relating to land and undertakings in a defined area, or ofpermits relating to water in a defined watercourse of river system or portions ofit may form Water Users Associations with the objective of maximising benefitsfrom such permits to members of the association and promoting the moreefficient use of permitted water. Water Users Associations are provided forunder Article 77 of the Water Act (2003).CANGO was founded in 1983, in response to an appeal by the then Ministry ofHealth for “better coordination of primary heal care activities in pursuit of theuniversal goal of health for all by the year 2000” 60 . Since then there has beena shift to encompassing all NGOs working in the area of development, withCANGO playing the role of a national umbrella body for the NGOs.The organisation takes a pro-poor stance, with the objectives of:• providing a forum that facilitates capacity building and dialogue to identifyissues affecting the marginalised;• facilitating a coordinated NGO development programme;• serving as a resource for receiving, processing and sharing information tobenefit stakeholders;60 Insight on CANGO pamphlet, produced by the organisation.RDMU (Strategic Environmental Assessment of the National Adaptation Strategy) - Page 151