Joint sector review 2007

The joint sector review allows a broad spectrum of stakeholders to influence sector developments.

Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Irby

From the 17 to 19 October 2007, WaterAid attended the seventh Joint Sector Review on the water and sanitation sector 2006/07.

The Joint Sector Review (JSR) is organised and coordinated by the Ministry of Water and Environment. It is a forum for performance assessment, budget and policy guidance, and for influencing policy and priorities. The event allows a broad spectrum of stakeholders to get an insight to, discuss and influence sector developments.

The theme for the review was Decentralization and Cost Effectiveness and centred on three objectives; to assess progress and performance of the sector in the last year; to review progress on the year's activities and to agree on key strategic policy issues and undertakings  for the following year. 

The following is a summary of some of the key issues presented and discussed:

Equity; The review recognised the need to address inequalities prevalent in least served districts and ensure transparency in the distribution of funds at the national and local levels. Finalising the consolidated sector investment plan was also prioritised.

Internally displaced persons / Pro Poor Strategy; The sector was urged to implement and regularly report on the pro-poor strategy for the provision of safe water and sanitation services.

Governance and cost efficiency; It was recommended that value for money and tracking studies should be conducted by the Auditor general. Thereafter an action plan should be developed and presented for approval by the water and sanitation sector working group.

Sustainable sanitation; The conditional grant for sanitation shall be implemented in 2008/2009 budget. The review noted the rapidly deteriorating status of school sanitation and called for quick action. The need for social marketing for attitude change and a move towards enforcement of laws and regulations as pertain to sanitation was also highlighted.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM); The JSR recommended the testing of the IWRM framework, it called for prioritization of IWRM through delegation of responsibility to lower local governments and increased funding for the directorate by government.

Setting targets for golden indicators; it was recommended that sector sets targets for golden indicators annually.

We are delighted to have influenced a number of the forum's policies including achieving our End Water Poverty campaign objective on enforcement of sanitation by laws and regulations.

Download the full Joint Sector Review 2007 ( PDF 51Kb)