New Integrated structure for water, wastewater sector adopted

New milestone: Transfer of powers, prerogatives from predecessor entities to new entities comes into effect

@conradprabhu

Oman’s newly restructured and integrated water and wastewater services sector has been formally operationalised with effect from June 1, 2021.

It follows a decision by the Ministry of Finance to endorse the transfer of powers and prerogatives from the predecessor entities to the newly created entities under the integrated structure, Nama Group – the holding company of state-owned power and water utilities and service providers – affirmed here on Tuesday.

Nama Group – an affiliated of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), the integrated sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of Oman – now oversees two new entities created out of the restructuring exercise. Oman Water and Wastewater Services Company (OWWSC) has been formed out of the merger of the erstwhile Public Authority for Water (Diam), hitherto the sole distributor of potable water services across Oman (with the exception of Dhofar Governorate), and Oman Wastewater Services Company (Haya Water), the sole entity responsible for wastewater management in Oman (with the exception of Dhofar Governorate).

Responsibility for potable water distribution and wastewater management in Dhofar Governorate has been placed in the hands of Dhofar Integrated Services Company (DISC), a newly established entity created out of the merger of three existing entities: the Directorate General of Water – Dhofar (which focused on potable water distribution), and Salalah Sanitary & Drainage Services (overseeing wastewater management), and Dhofar Power Company (responsible for power distribution and supply).

Regulation of the integrated sector is now the responsibility of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR), while the policymaker is the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

In a statement, Oman Water and Wastewater Services Company (OWWSC) affirmed its commitment to building on the achievements of the predecessor entities — Diam and Haya Water — in delivering high quality services to the general population.

Qais al Zakwani, OWWSC’s newly appointed CEO, said: “Thanks to the fresh start of OWWSC to complete the success march that has been achieved since the blessed renaissance era, and the contributions of Omani cadres and competencies capable of making even more efforts to complete the journey of success under the umbrella of Nama Group, we will strive over the next phase to allow our employees to apply the best international standards and practices to improve the company's operating performance and complete their work with great professionalism.” He further stated: “Following an ambitious strategy and clear goals, we will endeavour to achieve 98 per cent water network coverage by 2040 in order to provide safe drinking water to all governorates (except Dhofar), and expand our sanitation services to include the rest of the governorates, as well as seek out the most adaptable and creative digital technologies for reliable and sustainable services that meet the needs of our valued subscribers,” he added in a message featured on the website of the new company.