RE: Meeting between DWA Sector Support and Nigel Lowe re IAM-NRW Application

[Nigel Lowe]

Dear Petunia, (Helen & Jenny)   CC Others for information.

 

Thanks so much for the exceptional discussion I felt we had on Tuesday 15^th.  I won’t try to capture all that was said but rather the critical issues that can or might be taken further as and then appropriate.  I have for instance already had the opportunity to give my personal reports to some of those I am collaborating with and especially Tenda R on Thursday morning 17th.  These critical issues include;

 

1. Overall support:  Thank you for your DWA Sector Support Directorate’s overall interest and willingness to support “IAM-NRW” demonstration projects and programming coming into being in due time in select locations across South Africa.  Above all, I confirm;

1. What is of paramount importance is the actual demonstrative application to prove what is needed and CAN BE done within Water Service Authorities and in broad partnerships, like with Water Boards.  Only once proven will I be promoting for much wider application – not before that.
2. An acceptance that this effort was largely linked to Water Research Commission funding but not necessarily entirely tied to it either.  Some WSA’s might for instance proceed with related projects without such external funds.  Further sources of funding were also being explored.
3. The endorsement given to the notion of local / regionalised shared coordination / support platforms.  The purpose of these is to facilitate inter-authority exchanges, help overcome constraints and blockages and even potentially reduce project risks and rather promote the broadest support and positive incorporation of NRW-IAM practices into Water Operations.
4. That there was recognition that most positively this should be linked as far as possible to Water reform agenda’s.
5. That there are real budgetary constraints that actually need to be positively influence arising from the results IAM-NRW should be able to deliver.  Enabling agenda’s and needs are expected to be significant but let them rather be proven than presumed.
6. Our agreement that this is already closely aligned to various DWA programmes but especially the Water Services Infrastructure Asset Management (WS-IAM) Strategy and already stands to augment that.  This kind of alignment would need continuing attention to realize the full potential of the instrumental reform use of IAM.  (ASIDE:  The follow through contact with Tenda R had already deepened this in identifying DWA regional IAM champions.)

 

2. Continuing Internal National DWA Conversation:

I further confirm that the final positioning of these efforts is not confined only to DWA but broad conversations are continuing within and outside of DWA especially as IAM is so dependent on broad leadership.  Thank you for your Directorate’s support to assist with these as and when further contact is sought.

 

3. Pivotal next actions:

 

7. Consultative Engagement with DWA EC:  This had been initiated and was now underway with close association of the Regional office via Andrew Lucas’s section.  The target area was linked to Amatola Water.
8. Consultative Engagement with DWA Guateng:   I confirm I will be approaching your DWA Regional Director Mr Hennie Smit.
9. Consultative Engagement with DWA Mpumalanga and DWA KZN:  Both of these could proceed with special support of your Directorate.  These were not a priority until there was clarity on WRC potential funding, probably in early December.
10. Follow through with additional external support for approaching SETA’s for Enabling funding:  I confirm I will liaise with the DWA Water Services Sector Development Directorate to see what might be established linked to some existing applications.

 

Thanks again for this.  I will maintain linkages with your directorate as this effort especially with Regional offices proceeds.

 

Regards,

 

Nigel Lowe

 

 

-----Original Appointment-----
From: Ramunenyiwa Petunia [mailto:Ramune...@dwa.gov.za]
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 2:34 PM
To: Herbst Paul; Rasikhanya Tendamudzimu; Evans Jenny; Moremong Helen; Nigel Lowe; Rikhotso Vongani; Ramunenyiwa Petunia
Subject: Meeting with Mr Nigel Lowe
When: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 9:00 AM-11:00 AM (UTC+02:00) Harare, Pretoria.
Where: Ndinaye 342

 

 

When: 15 October 2013 09:00 AM-11:00 AM (UTC+02:00) Harare, Pretoria.

Where: Ndinaye 342

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Dear Colleagues

 

Kindly note that meeting will take place as per above invite.

 

Regards

 

Sibongile