President Álvaro Uribe has launched the Agua Transparente [transparent water] programme, which aims to control the funding used in water projects and the implementation of initiatives, as well as supervising tenders related to water projects, in an effort to avoid corruption. The launch took place at the national water forum in which deputy water minister, Leyla Rojas, also announced that the government will invest US$ 599 million (EUR 382 million) in waterworks in five departments during 2008.

With support from CAF, the Andean Development Corporation, the government expects all 32 departments to have master water plans, covering water for human consumption, irrigation and industrial activities as well as sewerage and wastewater treatment, by 31 December 2008.

Related news:Governance: success story - La Guajira Water and Sanitation Project, Colombia, Source Weekly, 14 Feb 2008

Web site: Agua Transparente, government web site providing information on the programme.

Source: Business News Americas [subscription site], 12 Mar 2008

Tags: governance, policies & legislation