Press Release
20 March 2006
Iraq - Benn opens "School for leaks" in Basra
 Waterworks problems will be considerably eased with the official opening of a
new UK-funded training centre for water engineers in Basra, southern Iraq, by
visiting International Development Secretary, Mr Hilary Benn today.
After years of neglect and poor maintenance, only 63% of people in the south
of the country have water piped to their homes and in Basra, Iraq’s second
largest city, it is as low as 23%. A lack of basic maintenance is estimated by
USAID to be responsible for over half of the water provision failures within the
first six months of reconstruction efforts.
Designed by Iraqi engineers on a model from Northern Ireland, the new Water
Authority Training Centre was built by Iraqi construction workers, providing
jobs for up to 120 local tradesmen. It has been funded through DFID’s £40
million Iraq Infrastructure Service Programme.
Opening the centre during a visit to Iraq, Secretary of State for
International Development, Mr Hilary Benn said:
“Reconstructing the water system is a priority for the Government of Iraq and
there is still much more to be done to ensure the people of Basra have access to
clean running water in their homes.
“But giving people the skills to fix small leaks before they become big
problems is just one good investment that will help keep the water flowing for
people in southern Iraq for the long-term.”
The centre will train engineers for all four southern Governorates of Iraq.
Six members of the Basra Water Directorate visited Northern Ireland in
November 2005 and gained experience and practical training from the Northern
Ireland Water Service’s training centre in County Antrim in order to help ensure
the centre is a sustainable success. This group included the new training
centre’s manager and his deputies.
In addition to funding the centre, DFID’s Iraq Infrastructure Service
Programme will help provide sustainable sources of drinking water for nearly
500,000 people in Basra by the summer of 2006 through various infrastructure
projects.
More broadly in Iraq, during the 1990s, access to safe drinking water dropped
by one third across the country, now over 4 million more Iraqis have access to
potable water than before 2003. Also in the 1990s, all sewage systems stopped
working – there were no sewage or wastewater treatment plants operating before
2003 but now 9.6 million more people have access to the sewerage system.
Hilary Benn added:
“The challenge ahead for the Iraqi Government to
reconstruct and develop their country after decades of neglect and
underinvestment cannot be underestimated; however, the UK alongside other donors
is committed to help where we can.”
Notes to editors
The Iraq Infrastructure Services Programme was launched
in April 2005 to address short, medium and long-term needs in Iraq. The
programme comprises two parts: Infrastructure repairs to improve power and water
services in Southern Iraq; and Development of an energy strategy for Iraq
through policy work in Baghdad with the Ministry of Electricity and other
donors, particularly the World Bank. DFID advisers have worked closely with the
Iraqi Technical Directorates to identify suitable projects in the power and
water sectors.
For further information, contact David Leslie on +44 (0)20 7023 1753 or
+44 (0)20 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries
Point on 0845 300 4100 (UK only)
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