Ministry to host RBA elections
MANZINI – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy will from tomorrow conduct national River Basins Authorities (RBAs) elections. This was revealed by Sindy Mthimkhulu, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Joint Basin Authorities - Project Board in a statement which she released on Friday.
The CEO said in a continued effort to comply with its regulation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, through the Department of Water Affairs, would be conducting the national RBA elections in all five river basins of the country.
She said this exercise would be conducted during the week of the November 28, 2022 to the December 2, 2022.
“The exercise is as per Section 33(1) of the Water Act of 2003 which states that; ‘The minister shall within five years of coming into force of this Act, establish upon the recommendation of the authority and subject to Sub-section (7), five River Basin Authorities by notice in the gazette.”
According to the CEO, the elected RBA Board members would serve for three years from the time they are gazetted into office. She said the upcoming elections would be conducted following the expiring of the term of the RBA Boards in August 2021. She said during their term of office, the outgoing Boards have been instrumental in establishing a joint operational organisation namely the Joint River Basin Authorities – Project Board, which serves as a technical secretariat for the RBAs and have ensured equitable water allocation for varying basin water uses and ensured adequate water management of water resources in their respective basins.
She added that the commendable work of the basin Boards continues to be highlighted through the work of the decentralised water management institutions such as the Joint River Basin Authorities – Project Board and Irrigation Districts (IDs).
“This is therefore an opportunity for voting participants to continue to strengthen the work and select members who will form the Board of the Joint River Basin Authorities – Project Board and the highest decision-making body being the National Water Authority,” the CEO said.