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Investment in sanitation urged
Le Thieu Son, Chief of the National Target Programme on Rural Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation, spoke to Nong thon Ngay nay (Countryside Today) about investment in water sanitation projects
Why have so few organisations and individuals invested in clean water and environmental sanitation in the recent years?
Profits in this area remain very low while requiring fairly large investment capital and it takes a long time to recover the costs. It is also risky because projects can be affected by natural calamities such as storms, droughts, and sea water intrusion. Farmers are the main beneficiaries of such projects, but have low incomes and struggle to pay for such services.
Does Government decision No131 open the door to different sectors to invest more in this area ?
A lack of preferential and protective policies is one of the reasons hampering investors in clean water and environmental sanitation. I hope the decision which came into effect on January 1 this year will motivate stronger participation of organisations and individuals in this area.
Despite the National Target Programme on Rural Clean Water and Environmental Sanitation helping alleviate poverty and improving conditions for rural people, it has also met many difficulties. Why is this?
Despite the growth of clean water and environmental sanitation services in some cities and provinces, their development has remained sluggish due to the shortage of guidance and participation of organisations, different economic sectors and people. The problem is compounded by limitations in co-ordination between relevant offices in many provinces and the shortage of qualified staff to implement the programme.
The programme remains short of funds despite the State raising the budget every year. Rural people remain unable to pay higher fees and cannot afford a clean water project of their own. Many types of water supply systems and sanitation projects have also been destroyed by floods, storms and droughts.
Do you mean it will be hard to achieve clean water and environmental sanitation targets?
That's right. It will be difficult to achieve the 2006-10 national programme's targets in the last remaining year unless local authorities in cities and provinces give drastic and urgent guidance and invest more, while encouraging farmers to take part in the programme.
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