Water and Sanitation Minister Gugile Nkwinti, together with Japan Ambassador to South Africa, Shigeyuki Horoki, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of water resource management between the two countries.
“Japan is known for its new technology inventions and that is what we need as South Africa as we are faced with the effects of drought and other challenges in the water sector.
“We welcome this partnership as a step in the right direction particularly in our quest to develop, maintain and manage our infrastructure”, said Nkwinti.
The cooperation between the two states will focus on the field of infrastructure development and technical cooperation in water resource management.
The Department of Water and Sanitation in South Africa and the Department of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan will exchange ideas and knowledge on issues in the water sector to benefit both countries.
This is with the intention of forging long term cooperative relationship that will assist both countries to face the ever changing dynamics in the water sector.
At the signing ceremony on Friday, Nkwinti said the agreement between the two countries is a catalyst to decisively deal with aging infrastructure in the country.
The co-operation between the two countries will include the following:
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Integrated Water Resource Management
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Water related disaster management
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Wastewater treatment
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Development, operations, maintenance and management of infrastructure
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Technical standards and new technologies
“A joint Commission on Co-operation in the field of Water Resources Management will be established to ensure seamless working relations and technical workshops, training, study tours and seminars will be organized in each country,” said Nkwinti.
This will not be the first time that the department has entered into an agreement with an entity in Japan.
Early last year, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Japan International Cooperation Agency to find solutions on the lack of technical skills in the South African water sector.-SAnews.gov.za
