Saudi Shoura OKs water accord with Japan 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Shoura Council approved a draft agreement between the Kingdom and Japan on water management and maintenance of sewage systems in Saudi Arabia.

The 30th session of the Shoura Council was held yesterday under the chairmanship of the council's Vice Chairman Mohammed bin Amin Al-Jaafri.

The agreement was between the Kingdom's Ministry of Water and Electricity and the Japanese ministries of economy, trade and industry and land, infrastructure, transport and tourism. It covered a wide range of issues related to water management and sewage maintenance.

The draft bill was presented by the council's committee on housing, water and public services.

Shoura Council Secretary-General Muhammed Al-Ghamdi said the agreement, which comprises 10 articles, details the scope of cooperation in the areas of water resources and production including desalination, water distribution and control of water, distribution network, reducing leaks and waste water treatment and its re-use. He also said that it contains related areas such as customer services, including systems, billing and meter reading, facilities and water technology and sanitation equipment.

The draft agreement also promotes cooperation between the two bodies in the areas of development of human resources and providing training in the areas of water management and conduct research and studies related to water resources and develop infrastructure facilities.

Under the program, Al-Ghamdi said that there is provision for cooperation in operations and maintenance of water related projects and to set up joint ventures in those areas.

The secretary-general said that while discussing the report of the committee on administration and human resources on the annual report of the Institute of Public Administration's (IPA) ninth Five-Year Development Plan for the year 1431/1432 AH, the house suggested that adequate funds be allocated for the IPA to open up more branches for men and women to cover various regions in the Kingdom.

"Such efforts will contribute to preparing efficient civil servants who will be able to handle all types of administrative functions," the official noted. He said the IPA should organize programs to promote e-governance among its students.