RE: Outcome EL Workshop Planning Session Tuesday 22nd Oct

[Nigel Lowe]

Hi All,

 

Here-with a record of “the Think Tank” (my label) on Tuesday 22^nd Oct.  I will not recapture the entire discussion rather the essence of it and consensus reached as I understand it.  Please do not hesitate to ask for clarity and or to elaborate on it.

 

Thanks again for the evident personal interest in some form of Operational collaboration.  That motivates me to find the way ahead to fully mobilise that.  I trust what follows is adequate for at least the 22^nd . 

 

Another email, sent early yesterday, involving other parties (especially BCCM, Chris Hani and DWA EC ) after the IMESA Conference in Port Elizabeth also refers.  In short – that confirms my conclusion to rather position this effort and way ahead at EC Provincial levels rather than National. That was already shared with all who attended on the 22^nd but can also be found via this link;

Exploring Water Demand Needs / Situation to support further application within IAM Frameworks

 

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Attendees:  Nigel Lowe; Nico Jonker; Stephen Nash; 'Raymond Bukubukwana ;Albie Kriel; Craig Thompson;
Apologies: Glynn Mauer; Siyamcela Mamane; Oliver Ive; Thandinkosi Matebese; Andrew Lucas; Xola Bomela; Esther Shaylor

 

Subject: EL Workshop Planning Session Tuesday 22nd Oct - Now confirmed.

When: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Where: Amatola Water offices; 6 Lancaster Road Vincent East London.

Nigel approached the meeting with a view to seeking to planning the workshop around leading candidate projects and the expected process that may be secured by WRC projects.  The latter might now only, if accepted, be approved by early December.  Nigel was particularly positive about the potential of appending something related to NRW-IAM to both Buffalo City Metro and potentially also Chris Hani, potentially even independent of WRC funding.  Craig Thompson was attending for the first time and while this led to revisiting earlier discussions, it also revisited the entire basis for potential Operational collaboration.  Ultimately it was recognised that the mandate for the project was either vested in supporting the application of the WRC funding but without that another mandate would need to be secured.  Nigel could only promote and advocate the overall approach and rationale.  The attending parties evidently want and need a coherent proposal.  Nigel undertook to develop this proposal and mandate, especially as discussions were on-going with other stakeholders, national and provincial.

 

Besides that there was some discussion in which the case of an additional shared project between Amatola Water and Amatole District.  The Sandile Water Scheme was mentioned as a potential candidate.  (Further note:  The exact status and notably available information as well as then additional work needed would dictate what funding might be needed.  Considering the independent discussions Nigel held with both parties, perhaps funding was not the real issue so both parties are anyway encouraged to explore such options.)

 

The meeting concluded with Nigel undertaking to develop some kind of structural proposal in collaboration with this grouping in order for it to be properly structured and positioned.  Further bilaterals might well continue.  As and when that was defined and agreed, the platform could be secured for events and projects to be further developed.

 

Regards,

Nigel Lowe

082 900 7387