Decentralisation of water management in Gao region

The number of drinking wells in Gao (Mali) is insufficient to meet the population's water needs. Mali has launched a decentralisation process early 2000. Water management is one of the competencies handed over by the state to the municipalities.

 

Decentralisation of water management in Gao region - Mali from Belgian Technical Cooperation on Vimeo.

 

The project seeks to improve the population's access to drinking water. To that end, new boreholes have been built and existing ones have been mended. The people and the organisations managing the wells are strengthened in their capacities; this includes municipal officials, users, the private sector and the regional section of Water and Energy (DRHE).

The municipalities started by listing all the existing boreholes. This work was the basis for the creation of 249 management committees, each consisting of 5 members, including one or two women. They are responsible for hygiene around the wells, they collect water fees and indicate possible technical problems.