PUTRAJAYA: The National Water Services Commission (Span) today signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with 12 water concessionaires to address water crisis issues.
The concessionaires were Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd, Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Air Melaka Bhd, Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan Sdn Bhd, Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd, Pengurusan Air Pahang Bhd, Syarikat Air Terengganu Sdn Bhd, Labuan Water Supply Department, Perak Water Board and Perlis Works Department.
The MoU was an initiative to recognise and strengthen the relationship and cooperation between Span and water concessionaires, especially in dealing with water supply crisis.
The type of assistance include providing suitable and trained personnel in their respective field; supplying tools and equipment such as portable power generators, water tanks, portable tanks and other relevant tools; mobilising humanitarian aid within 24 hours after receiving request from Span; and giving advice and technical input.
Span will serve as the coordinator in assisting the operators.
Span chief executive officer Datuk Ridhuan Ismail said the MoUs were designed to streamline and improve the existing cooperation between the commission and concessionaires in various aspects.
“Through these MoUs, the operators can help each other when facing a water crisis in their area and boost the preparedness aspects. The crises include natural disasters such as flash floods, droughts and landslides, as well as shortage of water supply.
“This is the first time we signed MoUs to standardise the assistance given from one party to another. For instance, when an operator faces a problem in one area, another operator will provide assistance in terms of deploying their assets such as water tankers, power generators and personnel.
“Through these MoUs, every party will have to bear the cost and expenses on their own when giving assistance. Any disputes and differences must be resolved through negotiations.” he said after the MoU signing ceremony at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.
Operators facing water crisis in their areas can submit their applications to Span to seek assistance from other operators.
Before approving the application, Span will study the rationale of the application and obtain agreement from the relevant operators to assist their counterpart.
“I hope all operators under Span can collaborate with each other and give their commitment when dealing with water crisis.” added Ridhuan.