GP ASSIGNMENT

Q.

(a) Using the Problem Tree analysis as a tool of Project Formulation, discuss the

causes and effects of lack of clean water at Lake Chivero.

(b) Stakeholders can be a hindrance to Project formulation and implementation if their

interest are not catered for. Discuss.

Introduction

In a project formulation stage a number of diagnostic tools can be used to identify and

analyze a problem in a bid to find a developmental solution to it. Various methods

such as Problen tree analysis, Stakeholder analysis, Logic Framework analyisis, Goal-

oriented project planning can be adopted. We shall use the first two methods to

further elaborate their usefulness as important tools in project formulation.

Problem Tree Analysis

The problem tree is an effective tool for the identification and analysis of the relevant

causes of the main problems, which will later form the bases for formulating solutions

and objectives. In this method we first identify the core problem. Then we analyze the

causes and effects of such problem in order to come up with a clear solution. In our

case the core problem is lack of clean water at Lake Chivero. As you are aware Lake

Chivero is the source of water supply to over 3.5 Million (Stas office 2002) people in

Harare, Chitungwiza, Norton ,Epworth and Ruwa . The Chivero catchment is also a

sub-catchment of the larger Upper Manyame catchment, which includes the town of

Norton. The entire Chivero catchment has an estimated population of about 2.5

million people according to Central Statistic Office (2002) and covers a surface area

of about 2,220 km2 Department of Water records, consisting of approximately 10%

urban and 90% rural developments. The latter comprises communal and commercial

farming lands in nearly equal proportions. The lake, created via a dam constructed in

1952, is located about 35 km south-west and downstream of Harare. Lake Chivero

was designed for a full capacity surface area of 26.5 km2, a volume of

247,181,000m3 and a mean depth of 9.3 m, with the deepest point measuring about 27

m. The lake overflow level is at 1,368m above mean sea level. Lake Chivero receives

water from the following major rivers: Manyame, Mukuvisi and Marimba. The

Harare city council treats and supplies water to all the towns in the Chivero catchment

and plays a major role in water quality management in the area.

We shall use the problem tree to arrange the hierarchy of causes and effects around

the core problem of lack of clean water as shown in Fig 1 below.

Fig 1 Illustration of problem tree

Effects

Core Problem

Causes

Lack of clean water

Release of toxic Industrial waste

and raw server into streams

Water plant not being

serviced

Lack of water purification

chemicals

High death rate High government expenditure on

drugs

Low production of fish and

market gardening

High rate of diseases High effects on ecological system

Lack of spares for the plant

Lack of monitoring by EMA

Bureaucracy by authoritiesLack of Skilled Manpower Lack of Funds

We will discuss the three problem tree causes that lead to certain effects and how they

can be address to eventually resolve the core problem.

(a) Release of industrial toxic waste and raw sewer into the upstreams.

Water resources and pollution in the Harare metropolitan area, according to

Nhapi et al. (2006) was that the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)

levels in Lake Chivero have reached critical levels considering that the lake

supplies drinking water to a very large population. Heavy metals such as lead,

iron, zinc are also discharged into the lake. In addition, the City of Harare’s

sewage plants pumps into Lake Chivero and it treats about 50% of the sewage

that it receives. This means that an enormous quantity of untreated sewage,

containing toxins with the potential to severely compromise human health is

pumped into the lake daily. Majority of infections related to consumption of

poorly treated ware were mainly caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa and

parasites (MOH&CW 1995).

The effects are that people are exposed to a variety of water borne diseases. The

cholera epidemic which started in august 2008 claimed the lives of approximately

4000 have strongly been linked to the deterioration in clean water supply. Harare

is currently facing the effects of the recent typhoid outbreak. (Water and

sanitation in Harare).Thousands of fish have died since 1996 in Lake Chivero due

to deoxygenating, compounded by excessive pollution and heavy metal

poisoning. This indicated the gravity of ecological disaster.(herald 2007). There is

a decline in Fishery production as well as irrigation schemes downstream since

the market will not buy contaminated products.

Lack of monitoring mechanisms and enforce punitive environmental laws on

offenders by the government arm the Environment Management Agency (EMA)

has contributed immensely to water pollution on Lake Chivero.

(b) Water plant not being serviced.

Due to mass exodus of qualified personnel to greener pastures, the City of

Harare has always been operating with less than ten engineers dealing with

water issues for a population of more than 2 million people and Harare has a

ratio of about 1 engineer for 100,000 residents. A grouping of Zimbabwean

local authority engineers believes this ratio should be about 1:20,000 for

effective management. The water purification plant is also very old and spares

cannot be sourced due to lack of funds.

(c) Lack of water purification chemicals.

With no proper means to source funds the City of Harare is incapable of

buying water purification chemicals. Inefficiencies due to bureaucratic process

and sudden changes of policies, have compounded the problem of lack supply

of clean water from lack Chivero. For instance, in May 2005, the government

decided to place the function of water supply under a national water agency,

ZINWA. First, ZINWA has no experience in water supply for such a big city

as it has been concentrating on water supply in small towns only, where it has

traditionally struggled to perform. Second, ZINWA follows government

procurement procedures and these are riddled with bureaucracy (and possibly

corruption) when water supply requires quick decision-making at the

operational and tactical levels. On the other hand, ZINWA is supposed to raise

its own funds and this is difficult as the government will interfere with tariff-

setting whilst also not providing enough funds for capital development. Third,

the wastewater management function was initially left with the city council

although it is the area that requires immediate attention as it has a direct

impact on the water quality in the supply dams, resulting in more chemicals

being required to purify the water as revealed by Mckendrick, (1982).

Solutions

The City of Harare, EMA and various stakeholders must be involved in programs

to eliminate the pollutant flows into Lake Chivero by properly managing the

wastewater system. This starts from the reduction of wastewater generation to the

urgent rehabilitation of sewage treatment plants. The abstraction of water from

the Chivero and Manyame dams needs to be optimised and the water treatment

capacity extended to meet current and projected demand. The whole distribution

and reticulation system should be rehabilitated and optimised through modern

methods of network analysis and modelling. Harare has to quantify and deal

decisively with water losses through a comprehensive leak detection and water

loss reduction programme. All new developments should be co-ordinated and

their impact on water quantity and quality assessed. A programme for the

replacement of old pipes needs to be developed, budgeted for and implemented.

As pointed out already, water quality is the immediate problem that requires

urgent capital investment whilst water supply could be resolved by using water

demand measures. Water supply could also be improved by developing more

treatment facilities to draw water from Lake Manyame after dealing with the

current pollution issues. Utilities must therefore be accountable to the people they

serve and not to political interests. The consumers should know what they are

paying for, that is, there should be transparency in information sharing,

production of annual reports including publishing of accounts, and so on.

It is recommended that a corporatized body, free from political influence and with

a higher degree of autonomy, be established to run the water services for Harare

and the neighbouring towns. Such a body would need a sound and flexible system

for setting tariffs and enacting/enforcing reasonable regulations.

Stakeholders Analysis

Another method which is very useful in project formulation is stakeholder analysis.

Who are the stakeholders? They are individuals, groups, organizations or authorities

who stand to benefit directly or indirectly from a developmental activity and have an

interest in the outcome of such development. We can further divide the stakeholders

into distinct categories namely Primary, Secondary and Key. For primary

stakeholders, they have a direct influence in the project activities and it includes core

project beneficiaries. The secondary stakeholders are those who are indirectly affected

by the project whilst Key stakeholders are the agents of change and they often come

from the primary stakeholders group. The main reason for this distinction is to

prioritise the level of attention to be paid to them during project formulation and its

effective implementation. So why do we carry out stakeholder analysis during project

formulation? This is done to ensure

- We understand their interests and influences for quick decision making

processes.

- Establish an effective communication channel for smooth implementation of

the project.

- We give them a sense of ownership through full participation.

- We close all the gaps that might be a hindrance to the success of the project.

In our case if stakeholders can be a hindrance to project formulation then we must

find ways to cater for their interest. The case of the Nile river water rights is causing

problems to the implementation of projects upstream and if left unattended the

situation will degenerate into war amongst stakeholder sates.

In 1959, Egypt and the newly independent Sudan signed a deal that gave them "full utilisation of the Nile waters". Using the river's annual average flow of 84bn cubic metres of water, it was agreed that Egypt had the right to use 55.5bn cubic metres a year, with Sudan's share at 18.5bn cubic metres. The other 10bn cubic metres was reserved for seepage losses and evaporation in Lake Nasser, behind the Aswan dam. Upstream countries were not allocated a share.” ( X. Rice. Guardian. June 2012)

From the above we learn that the interests of upstream states namely Uganda, Tanzania Sudan, were ignored in the agreement process hence the problem.

How do we ensure stakeholders are catered for during project formulation? The following steps, take care of the awareness, capabilities and inclusion of stakeholders in project formulation to avoid any hindrances to its implementation.

- Identify and categorise stakeholders- Assess stakeholder interests- Assess stakeholder influence and importance - Provide a stakeholder participation strategy

Identify and categories stakeholders

Stakeholder can be categorized as Government, Financier/Institutions, local communities, vulnerable/gender groups, employees, NGOs as well as the management or owners of the project. The list must be prioritised on who are the primary, secondary and key stakeholders. It is important to note that opponents need to be serious considered as they may prevent or disrupt the project implementation. This will help to strategize the method and level of interaction during the project formulation.

Assess stakeholder interest

The survey process must be conducted to establish the stakeholder expectations, benefits, willingness to participate and elimination of areas of conflict. Stakeholders who are important to the project are those whose needs the project seeks to address hence we must strive to converge their interests with our project objectives.

Assess stakeholder influence and importance

Stakeholders whose decision making level is high in project formulation are ranked higher. The influence a stakeholder has is the power one has over the project. A stakeholder can exercise his powers by directly controlling the decision making process weather positive.

Fig 2. Illustration of importance and influence of stakeholders

HIGH IMPORTANCE

Those who need a strategic plan for them to participate

The key decision makers who are involved thoroughly in the project

Those who need to be informed but do not hinder the project.

Those whose ideas and participation must be acknowledged and may hinder project progress

LOW INFLUENCE

Action to be taken ;

- High influence and high importance

These key decision makers need more attention and include government, shareholders,

financiers, management and must be participate in the whole project process. They should

be involved in the formulation of policies, negotiation and signing of contracts and any

other relevant important official project documents including authorizations and

approvals.

- High influence and low importance

These may not fully participate actively but are individuals, organisations or institutions

that help facilitate execution of an activity. These are key and may be ceremonial people

who through their influential status can used to convince other staholders.

- High importance and low influence

These are stakeholders who are valued and need to be intensively consulted during project implementation. There should be more emphasis on the surveys of cultural and traditional values. For example Dam construction in rural areas in Zimbabwe would require consultation with Chiefs and traditionalist of the area to perform rituals on project kick-off. Failure to do so would be regarded as disrespect of traditional values by the Chiefs.

- Low importance and low influence

These just need to be informed and made aware of the benefits of the project.

Analysis of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT Analysis) of stakeholders to the project, will help understand how best to deal with different stakeholder groups. Meetings, trainings, workshops, questionnaire are some of the strategies employed to ensure stakeholders are involved in the project.

Conclusion

If stakeholders are involved from the onset, then their interests are drawn out and addressed immediately thereby minimizing project risks. It is therefore important in project formulation to cater any conflict of interests between stakeholders by ensuring their full participation until the project ends.

References

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