Ordinance be amended to widen Sida's scope to entire Sindh, says WB team.

HYDERABAD -- The World Bank task team, led by Toru Konishi, on Friday held a meeting with officials of the Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (Sida) and discussed with them the issues relating to water management.

Appreciating the institution's working and performance, Mr Konishi noted that its work relating to establishment of farmers' organisations (FOs), management of projects and capacity-building of area water boards (AWBs) was laudable.

He told the officials that work was under way to bring all stakeholders of water resources under the umbrella of an integrated water resource management for which the Sindh Water Management Ordinance, 2002 should be amended.

Apprising the WB task team of the institution's future strategy, Sida chairman Abdul Basit Soomro said the authority had done a tremendous job for enhancing capacity of farmers' organisations and ensuring participation of growers in the irrigation system. He said relief could be provided to farmers by amending the ordinance in line with present-day needs. He said Sida's scope would be widened beyond four canals to entire Sindh.

He said that since Sida was not allowed to manage Sindh's three barrages, it should not be blamed for doing nothing on account of barrages.

He said that integrated water resource management needed to be established in Sindh and it would be fully supported. He said representation should be given to the departments of agriculture, forest, wildlife, local government, industries and other stakeholders on Sida's board so that they could play their due role in decision-making.

He said Sida was established in the wake of 120-year performance of the old irrigation system and related experiences. He said the authority was in its 23rd year and had successfully completed 99pc work for the...