Dear members,

The Water Integrity Networks on the topic of corruption and integrity (lack of transparency, accountability) in the sector. I am posing here a few questions for your feedback. It is related to WIN's understanding on integrity issues in the sanitation sector. WIN is organizing a side event jointly with FANSA and Helvetas on this topic in SACOSAN for which feedback from experts and practitioners in the area will be very beneficial and appreciated. The main question is 'whether integrity is a major impediment for implementing sanitation projects' given that funds for building toilets gets siphoned off; or if a toilet is built, maintenance funds go missing leaving the toilets unusable. Procurement processes and tendering for toilet equipment and construction quality fail to follow established norms; and monitoring is compromised. All these probably point towards the lack of integrity in construction, operation and maintenance process of the toilets. What do you have to say on the following questions:

1. Is the lack of integrity a major obstacle in achieving sanitation goals ?

2. Anecdotes and experiences on integrity issues in sanitation?

3. What are integrity challenges in the rural and urban context?

4. How do you strengthen integrity in sanitation services?


Thanks

Binayak Das
WIN