STOCKHOLM, Jun 02, 2010 (Xinhua) - Cambodia's Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) won the Stockholm Industry Water Award 2010 for its world class performance in water supply and self- sufficiency, according to a statement issued by Stockholm International Water Institute on Wednesday.
"The PPWSA has successfully fought corruption and shown this can be achieved in a developing country on a large-scale basis using simple but effective management techniques that are based on well-accepted business principles and strategies," said the International Award Jury in its citation.
"As a self-sufficient company, operating without subsidies from the state, PPWSA today provides 24-hour service and 90 percent coverage to a city of 1.3 million and fully recovers its costs as it continues to develop both its infrastructure and management," the jury said.
Phnom Penh suffered from low water supply running system due to decades of conflicts.
But under the leadership of Mr. Ek Sonn Chan since 1993, the whole supply system was refurbished with effective billing and payment collection methods, as well as world class management to provide water to almost all of the city's residents, the statement said.
By 2008, its customer base had increased nine folds which lead to higher profitability. Water losses due to leakages in pipes and pumps declined from 72 percent in 1993 to 6 percent by 2008, which is very low in an international comparison, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the bill collection ratio reached over 98 percent - which improved the PPWSA's costs-recovery. It stands as a role model for those committed to improving their business practices and increasing their level of service to customer, according to the Jury.
Stockholm Industry Water Award recognizes the business sector's contribution to sustainable water management, by minimizing water consumption and environmental impact.
"The PPWSA has successfully fought corruption and shown this can be achieved in a developing country on a large-scale basis using simple but effective management techniques that are based on well-accepted business principles and strategies," said the International Award Jury in its citation.
"As a self-sufficient company, operating without subsidies from the state, PPWSA today provides 24-hour service and 90 percent coverage to a city of 1.3 million and fully recovers its costs as it continues to develop both its infrastructure and management," the jury said.
Phnom Penh suffered from low water supply running system due to decades of conflicts.
But under the leadership of Mr. Ek Sonn Chan since 1993, the whole supply system was refurbished with effective billing and payment collection methods, as well as world class management to provide water to almost all of the city's residents, the statement said.
By 2008, its customer base had increased nine folds which lead to higher profitability. Water losses due to leakages in pipes and pumps declined from 72 percent in 1993 to 6 percent by 2008, which is very low in an international comparison, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the bill collection ratio reached over 98 percent - which improved the PPWSA's costs-recovery. It stands as a role model for those committed to improving their business practices and increasing their level of service to customer, according to the Jury.
Stockholm Industry Water Award recognizes the business sector's contribution to sustainable water management, by minimizing water consumption and environmental impact.
12 comments:
I love CAMBODIA but, don't even try to drink the "tap water", use it in your soup, or use the ice in your beverages unless you want to make pancakes and omelettes in every restroom or site that you visit. "diarrhea" is the word!!
Congratulation PPWSA for such an excellent effort in doing both supply clean water to serve cambodians with self reliant infrastructure and avoid corruption that is still a massive part of administration.
Praise for this phenominal achievement.
Cambodia can do it!!!.
kaun Khmer
During my visit, I stayed at the Inter-Continental hotel in Phnom Penh, and during my entire stay (three weeks), we received bottle water for our bathroom-daily use, which gives you an idea of the water quality in Cambodia.
War is peace
I appreciate the way PPWSA treats its customers - Not much complaints over cost, consistent and reliable. The only issue is with pressure esp. the morning. EDC is a real cowboy utility operator (bribery and cheats). EDC corrupt officials - when can electricity be cheap to customers?
Hey, don't condemn PP water quality until you have the evidence. I can assure you this Barang Has tested the water and I can say that the tap water quality is very, very good, and is better than the water in a certain Australia tourist city that I have lived in.
Congrat. Mr. Ek Sonn Chan. It just show you with the right leadership it can be done.
If Cambodia is corrupt because Hun Sen is corrupt. He set the standard and examples for all his followers to follow.
I don't know about the entire Cambodida, but PNH definitely has one of the best water quality in the world. I think the country's stigma and the chaotic of the City's lifestyle give it a bad impression.
Don't forget that the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority is run by Cambodian officials. We have more stories to tell.
Not for too long time, Yuon companies will polute Cambodia for you in the near future.
Mr. Ek Sonn Chan should be the prime minister of Cambodia. If Hun Sen can't run the country free from corruption, Mr. Ek Sonn chan would be the right fit. Cambodian people have suffered enough by the hands of their bad leaders. We must find our strength to define our country's future. We can stride this country to a respectable country once again without Hun Sen. Hun Sen has proven Cambodia's development over the blood of poor Khmers. Cambodians deserve better. With Hun Sen in place, Cambodians will fight each other like cat and mouse because Vietnam got a hand in his policy politics. His policy of pro Viet beat up Khmer will continue as long as his is in office; not only that Cambodia will continue to suffer lost of land and sea encroaching through his policy of pleasing his Vietnamese boss. Who in turn supply him with military back ups and secret service to ensure he continues to stay in office and to continue his service to them.
Cambodians must have clear heads in term of defining their own future. The end result has already been proven the misery and suffering of Khmer Kampuchea Krom. The answer is clear but do we realize that? Is this how we our future to be? under the supervision of another country and suffer from deprivation from all walks of lives?
Right now, Hun Sen is the boss. There are many things he could do for lives of many millions Cambodians who depend on him... What can a strong man do for his nation?
Once again, congratulations Mr. Ek Sonn chan! We are proud of you. You have earned yourself another proud Cambodian son!
Mr. Ek Sonn Chan and the Phnom Penh Water Services Authority have been cited as a role model for good management and administration. It shows that corruption could be weeded out when decentralization is properly institutionalized. From what I learned was that PPWSA is an autonomous entity relying on its own business model and management to achieve financial self-sufficiency without any interference from the state. This model should be instituted in every province if Cambodia is to achieve a meaningful development.
There are many Ek Son Chan's in France, the US, and elswhere who would help Cambodia if the Hun Sen government ask them for help.
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