Statement by Chief Executive of Community Water and Sanitation Agency to mark World Water Day

Mr. Gaze of Community Water and Sanitation Agency

Since 1993, on the 22nd of March each year, countries all over the world observe World Water Day. A relevant theme is chosen every year to focus attention on an aspect of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

This year 2013, we gather here to celebrate the International Year of Water Cooperation – A Partnership  we can all contribute to. No matter how small our quota, we can affect the lives of the growing population especially women and children. 

We are all aware of the  high demand for fresh water which keeps increasing, especially for food production, energy, industrial and domestic use. Thus, the opportunity for  cooperation is now critical than ever before for  all stakeholders i.e governments, civil society groups, industries and communities to mention but a few. 

Two of the key partners  in our journey towards preserving freshwater are the  agriculture and the energy industry. 

These key partners should therefore adopt safe practices in the use and disposal of water  to protect and preserve our environment. 

Water Cooperation is key to creating better living conditions for ourselves, as well as the future generation. Through joint partnership, we can peacefully create management plans to better maintain our water resources. 

The benefits of improved access to freshwater include averted improved yields of our staples, higher school attendance among school going children and time-saving associated with having water facilities closer to home. 

Water cooperation cannot be done without the involvement of  communities  where the water resources are located. The protection of these water sources by communities is very crucial to ensuring their sustenance and availability for future generations. 

Communities should cooperate with Institutions managing water and water bodies by adhering to water protection and preservation practices such as avoiding pollution of water bodies (not dumping human waste, chemicals, plastics in them),  desist from cutting down trees and farming on river banks. To provide support to communities, CWSA is thinking of integrating conservation and protection issues in community water and sanitation related activities. 

In conclusion, i will like to state that water cooperation is a chain and every single person forms part of this chain. If any one person does not cooperate, then the cooperation chain is broken. 

Water is a right and a gift of life to each and every one of us, so let us together cooperate in this partnership.