Water Affairs director-general Pam Yako has been put on “special leave” pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the department. “No charges have been levelled against Ms Yako or any official of the department and, until informed otherwise by the outcome of the investigation, the director-general remains innocent,” Water Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said.
A statement issued by the ministry said Sonjica had decided to investigate the department’s finances “following allegations of financial irregularities and information alleging maladministration and mismanagement”.
Sonjica’s statement offered no details about the alleged irregularities. Spokesperson Sputnik Ratau said: “It’s alleged that there could be maladministration and some processes could have been undermined in terms of the procurement system.”
The transition to the new administration appears to have exposed tensions between ministers and directors-general in several departments, despite earlier assurances by President Jacob Zuma when he told top public servants their jobs would be safe. Yako is the fourth top public servant to be suspended in as many weeks.
Ms Yako was appointed Director-General of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry on 1 March 2008.
Pam Yako and H.R.H. the Prince of Orange, The Netherlands, celebrating Global Handwashing Day in October 2008
Source: SAPA / News24.comm 21 Jul 2009 ; Caiphus Kgosana , IOL, 22 Jul 2009 ; DWAF, 29 Feb 2008
Categories: Africa
Tagged: Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Pam Yako, South Africa
András Szöllösi-Nagy appointed new Rector at UNESCO-IHE. © UNESCO
UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education announces a change in leadership. The new Rector, Professor András Szöllösi-Nagy, will start his appointment on 5 September 2009.
Prof. Richard Meganck, retiring Rector of UNESCO-IHE
Prior to his appointment in Delft, the Netherlands, Professor Szöllösi-Nagy was Director of the Division of Water, Secretary of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and Deputy Director-General of the Natural Sciences Sector of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Szöllösi-Nagy replaces Professor Richard Meganck, who will officially retire on 4 September 2009, after having served a six-year period as Rector at UNESCO-IHE.
Source: UNESCO-IHE, 22 Jul and 13 Jul 2009
Categories: Capacity building · Europe & Central Asia · Water resources management
Tagged: András Szöllösi-Nagy, Richard Meganck, UNESCO-IHE
Dr. Albert Morgan Wright joined the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) Advisory Committee in June 2009. The GSF is managed by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC).
Through his work over the last 30 years at and for many multi-lateral, intergovernmental, non-governmental and academic institutions, Dr. Wright has played a significant role in water resources and sanitation at global, African and national levels, including in his native Ghana. He joins the other globally renowned experts on the committee: Prof. Sandy Cairncross (Chair), Ashoke Chatterjee, Eddy Perez, Roland Schertenleib, Sophie Tremolet and Barbara Evans (resource person).
In the 1980s, Dr. Wright was Chairman of the International Management Board of the IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre.
Source: WSSCC Newsletter, July 2009
Categories: Financing · Sanitation
Tagged: Albert M. Wright, Global Sanitation Fund, Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council
