Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hisila Yami (File Photo)

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hisila Yami (File Photo)
Responding to last Wednesday’s letter from the Asian Development Bank, Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hisila Yami has expressed firm commitment to fulfill all the conditions put forth by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) except for hiring Severn Trent for the management of drinking water supply. Asking time till October for this, she also proposed ‘revised rebidding’ for selecting a management contractor for Kathmandu Valley’s water utility.

In the letter she wrote to the Director General of the Manila based bank, Minister Yami proposed hiring technical experts, most preferably Nepali or Non-Resident Nepalis, for the about two years ‘interim’ period that would take for appointing a new contractor through rebidding.

The main objective behind hiring the technical experts is to strengthen Kathmandu Upatyeka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), according to experts.

Minister Yami has in the letter also asked the bank till August 30 to complete institutional reforms in Kathmandu Valley’s water utility.

The Kathmandu Post reports that by that time Yami is seeking to hand over the assets of Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) in the valley to Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board, lease out the asset to KUKL for 30 years, set up a Water Tariff Commission, and effect transfers and retirement of NWSC’s valley staff.

The ADB had last Wednesday written to Minister Yami asking the timeframe of completing institutional reforms in Kathmandu Valley’s water utility including options for Severn Trent.