Lower Usuthu Irrigation District
The project is geared to intensively involve the target group in the preparation and execution of the project and in the running of the scheme upon completion.
Participation and ownership will make the people aware of the benefits which the project will produce, will reduce the costs and will give them a sense of responsibility for the upkeep of the irrigation system to ensure its successful
functioning.
It has to be made clear to the future Water Users that they will be responsible for running and maintaining the irrigation system and that no subsidies will be paid. With that in view, it is proposed to organise the stakeholders of the scheme
into a corporate body, which will be in charge of operations and maintenance of the entire system.
This will include administering the related expenditures and income collected from the water fees.
Legal aspects
In accordance with Article 73 of the Water Bill 1998, which is expected to be passed by Parliament by mid 2000, the Minister responsible for water affairs may establish Irrigation Districts. It is recommended to organise the project as the
Lower Usuthu Irrigation District (LUID).
In consultation with the Supervisory Board and the Consultative Council, proposals to this effect have to be designed by the IU and presented to the National Water Authority for its consideration. The Authority may subsequently submit
recommendations to the concerned Minister, at present the Minister of Agriculture & Co-operatives / Minister of Natural Resources and Energy. With the WUA in place it should be possible to ensure the two third vote of the permitted water
users, required to petition the Authority to incorporate LUID as an Irrigation District in the sense of Article 74 of the Water Bill 1998.
These proposals would include the formation of a Board of Directors of the I.D. LUID will be established during the project implementation period. The sooner the water users gain experience by standing on their own feet the better. The LUID
will receive guidance and training for as long as the IU will be in existence. In the course of year six all Stage I WUGs will have organised themselves into a Water Users Assembly.
By the end of year six LUID could become a fully incorporated operation and management organisation. While LUID will be building up experience on its own, the project will be able to give lateral guidance and support. The lower confines of
Usuthu will be added at a later date. |
