the goan I network
PANAJI
In bid to cash-in on solutions worked out by the Portuguese to problems faced by it 20 years ago but which Goa is facing today, the government on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its former colonial ruler for co-operation in water supply, waste water management and energy efficiency.
PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar and Portugal’s Environment Minister, Joao Pedro de Matos Fernandes marked the signing of the MoU at a city resort here on Saturday.
The MoU will help Goa manage its water resources efficiently, the Portuguese Environment Minister said.
“I think the MoU will be important for both,” Matos Fernandes said, adding that the Portuguese faced two decades ago exactly the same problems prevalent in Goa today.
He said, Portugal is proud of the progress achieved in the country.
“We invested about 10 billion euros in the past 20-25 years and we now see the
results,” Matos Fernandes said.
He said, water and waste water management were pin-pointed by the Prime Ministers India and Portugal as areas for co-operation between the two countries.
The MoU signed by Dhavlikar and Matos Fernandes on Saturday is in line with that vision, he added.
According to the MoU water supply operation, energy efficiency, resource valorisation, waste water and sewerage planning, management and technological solutions, asset management procedure and standards, energy management operational workflows, operational data and information management will get the benefit of technical co-operation from the Lusofone country.
Dhavalikar said the Selaulim and Opa water treatment and supply projects will benefit from the memorandum of understanding including exploring ways for removal of manganese from the treatment plants which is the cause of water stoppages often.
