The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) has raised concerns about new obligations contained in the proposed Public Health Amendment Bill, warning that additional approval requirements could increase costs, delay critical infrastructure projects and affect investor confidence.
Making submissions before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs, WAF chief executive Seru Soderberg said the authority supported the objectives of public health protection but had concerns about the practical and financial implications of some provisions.
“On the new obligations, such as the alternative supply infrastructure development that are being introduced, as well as the new delegations of the approval for the design, all of this, from our perspective, there are some financial implications that’s going to be going along with it,” Mr Soderberg said.
“However, within the Bill that is not clearly identified. Who becomes responsible for the financial implication?”
Mr Soderberg said WAF currently delivers about $150 million worth of water and wastewater infrastructure annually on behalf of the Government.
He noted that the proposed legislation would require additional approvals for the design of water and wastewater projects.
“What is currently stating that the Board would have to provide approvals for all designs for water and wastewater infrastructure that needs to go in, that is an additional pathway that we will now have to go.”
He warned that the additional approval process could slow the delivery of essential infrastructure projects.
“There’s a few things – one, potential for delays for the implementation of critical infrastructure for water and wastewater.”
Mr Soderberg also expressed concern about the possible impact on relationships with international development partners and lenders.
“The other area of concern for us is the confidence of the multilateral development banks who provide loans to the Government of Fiji or grants to put in water and wastewater infrastructure.”
“There’s a potential for their confidence to waiver because of the additional requirement that comes in in that space.”
He told the committee that technical and operational oversight of water infrastructure should remain with the Ministry of Public Works and WAF, while continuing to work closely with the Ministry of Health on public health matters.
“We are requesting for consideration again that the operational, the technical operational responsibilities is placed upon the Ministry of Public Works, who the Water Authority of Fiji reports to, working with the Ministry of Health.”
Mr Soderberg said delays could have far-reaching consequences for communities relying on new infrastructure projects.
“Currently we deliver $150 million of infrastructure on a yearly basis. This is projected to go up to about $400 million per annum in capital expenditure over the coming years.”
“Any delay in implementation would affect the general public as well.”
