Published on: 30/06/2014
Since 2011, when the Ministry of Water and Environment recognized Hand Pump Mechanics Associations (HPMAs) as crucial to the improvement of functionality of rural water facilities, numerous efforts have gone into supporting the associations and strengthening their capacity.
One of the key developments was the issuance of guidelines for district local governments to engage with the HPMAs, followed by the waiver from the Public Procurement and Disposal Authority (PPDA) allowing local governments to give the first priority to the associations when procuring services for operation and maintenance of facilities. IRC/Triple-S and SNV in partnership with Technical Support Units (TSUs) 2 and 6 have supported dissemination of the guidelines in four districts (Kabarole, Bundibigyo, Kyenjojo and Lira).
In Kabarole and Lira districts, IRC-Triple-S has been at the forefront of HPMA capacity development. In June 2014, Triple-S in partnership with TSU2 and TSU6 organised a three-days training for Lira and Kabarole HPMAs to strengthen and ready them for the prospect of engaging with local governments. The training involved interpretation of the HPMA guidelines, basic book-keeping and networking with stakeholders involved in rural water supply.
It emerged from the discussions that HPMAs have to be prepared to harness the opportunities presented by the issuance of the guidelines and the PPDA waiver.
Emerging Issues and opportunities:
- In districts that have both hand pumps and piped schemes, the HPMAs have recruited both hand pump mechanics and scheme attendants. This is the case in Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Kasese among others. As much as the guidelines emphasize HPMAs, it should be clarified that they also apply to associations that have recruited other artisans (scheme attendants, plumbers) to cooperate with HPMs in operation and maintenance of rural water facilities. For example the Kabarole district Hand Pump Mechanic and Scheme Attendants Association and Bundibugyo Water Artisans Association. This not only provides an opportunity for greater membership, it also widens the scope of work for the associations.
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Local Governments and HPMAs is mandatory before any formal engagement between the two parties. The cooperation should be planned for and incorporated in the district annual work plan. This means that the District Water Office should know what it costs to engage the HPMA to do rehabilitation and major repairs and use such information to plan for the financial year.
- The MoU proposes disbursement of funds in three installments, with the first installment paid as an advance upon endorsement of the work plan. Experiences from Lira and Kabarole districts have shown difficulty in managing contracts where advances are paid before work is done. For example the Procurement officer in Lira cited situations where contractors abandoned works after being given advance payment. Currently, both Kabarole and Lira district local governments encourage contractors to pre-finance works to be reimbursed upon completion of milestones across the different phases of the work. The DLGs proposed that at least three milestones are set across the different phases of the work and that the first payment be made upon completion of the first milestone. This ensures accountability and better management of the procurement process which benefits both the DLG and the HPMAs.
- Current guidelines only apply to HPMAs that are registered as Community Based Organizations with the district local governments. In some districts the HPMAs have also registered private companies. The direct procurement proposed through the guidelines only applies to the registered associations and management of finances received by the associations should be in line with the rules governing Community Based Organizations. Once the associations are registered they are recognized by the District Local Governments and this raises their profile. Registered as CBOs, the associations will continue providing services as a social good hence the cost of engaging them will be lower. But for he associations that also have registered a company, that company is the profit making arm of the HPMA and it must play by the rules that govern such companies.
- It was also observed that the guidelines emphasize operationalization of the Sub county Water Supply and Sanitation Boards (SWSSBs) to manage spare parts stocks and to manage the sub county water technician who is a member of HPMA. The SWSSB also enters into a MoU for Operation and Maintenance with HPMA on behalf of the sub county. This will require establishment and operationalization of the SWSSBs in all districts. Kabarole and Lira are at an advantage since the boards have been established in at least eight sub counties from which others can learn. As the boards get fully established, the will provide ready operation and maintenance engagements for the HPMAs. In effect the engagement between the boards and the HPMAs will ensure faster repair works since there will be money available from the board collections.
- The Umbrella Organizations are membership entities which provide management support to Water Boards. They are highly experienced and knowledgeable on operation and maintenance issues for rural water supply facilities. They offer a wide range of services including: funding rehabilitation and extension of pipe networks; water quality testing; direct technical support; access to subsidized spare parts and a revolving fund scheme.
Although these services target water supply boards they clearly address the core issues that HPMAs are grappling with particularly; access to subsidized spare parts, and management support. HPMAs can also benefit from the revolving fund when they get contracts, since local governments are now moving away from giving advance payment to contractors – the HPMAs will be expected to pre-finance their works and wait for reimbursement upon completion. Already, IRC/Triple-S has engaged the Mid Western and Northern Umbrella organization to impart skills in the management of financial transactions, basic book keeping and being accountable to partners and members. The Umbrella Organizations for Water and Sanitation are therefore well placed to provide continuous capacity development services for HPMAs.
By Lydia Mirembe and Peter Magara.
