Water sector privatisation suspended
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Contact: Claudia Monlouis
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 – Having announced Tuesday that the Bidding process for the privatization of the water sector has been aborted, Minister for Public Utilities Honourable Guy Joseph says to date Cabinet has recommended a review of the entire process in order to determine the way ahead for the privatization of Saint Lucia’s water sector.
Recently workers of the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO), backed by their Trade Unions voiced their concerns about being placed in limbo as government pursued the privatization process described as a Public/ Private Sector partnership.
The minister indicated that the government’s latest decision is in the best interest of the water sector as well as the employees of WASCO.
“The situation at WASCO are very critical in terms of addressing the concerns of the workers, addressing all the issues in relation to the water sector in general, and the need to get something going on at WASCO that really brings us the kind of results we are looking for within the water sector.”
Minister Joseph disclosed that a committee has been set up comprising persons from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economic Planning, and Ministry of Communications and Works that will review the entire process including the latest twist in developments.
“I am hoping that they can come up with the shortest route that we can follow in realising our ultimate goal which is total improvement of the water sector.”
The Committee is supposed to sit next week and the minister says when that is done, he is hoping a time frame will be proposed for continued discussions on the future of the water sector. |
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