RAJSHAHI, Dec 22, 2021 (BSS)- Local Government, Rural Development and Co-
operatives Minister Tazul Islam, MP, has said integrity management is very
important for ensuring water rights to all.

   "We will be transformed into a developed and prosperous country by 2041
besides achieving our SDGs by 2030, so there is no room for negligence in the
implementation of integrity management," he said.

   The minister was addressing a webinar titled "WASH Integrity Management:
Progress, Challenges and Way Forward goals" today as the chief guest.

   NGO Forum for Public Health, Bangladesh Water Integrity Network, Water
Integrity Network (German) and Bhorer Kagoj jointly organized the virtual
meeting.

   Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutt moderated the discussion.

   Minister Tazul Islam termed integrity management as one of the fundamental
issues and said it's not just about the WASH sectors but paying attention to
this issue everywhere has become crucial.

   He clarified that integrity management has become crucial to ensure good
governance in the country's Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) and other
water supply entities.

   Besides, utmost emphasis should be given on ensuring transparency,
accountability and participation of all stakeholders in the service delivery
activities for betterment of the consumers in general.

   The minister told the meeting that integrity management is a change
management approach to reduce unnecessary losses from corruption and bad
practice in human resources, accounting, operation and maintenance and other
work processes.

   Transparency, accountability, participation and inclusion are the main
components of integrity management, he added.

   Minister Tazul Islam, however, said the present government under the
dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been
working relentlessly in this regard.

   NGO Forum Focal Person and BAWIN Coordinator Kazi Monir Mosharof presented
a keynote on 'WASH Integrity Management: Progress, Challenges and Way
Forward', while Khulna WASA Managing Director Md Abdullah shared his
experience on integrity management practices.

   Rajshahi WASA Managing Director Zakir Hossain, Chief Engineer of
Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) Saifur Rahman, BAWIN Chairman
Shahidul Hassan and Executive Director of NGO Forum for Public Health S M A
Rashid also shared their views on the issue.