Clean water is a constitutional right, not just a project: Finance minister

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said access to clean water is a constitutional right and ensuring it for every citizen is a responsibility of the state.

"Clean water is not just a project; it is the right of every citizen. In fact, the Constitution of Bangladesh requires the state to ensure access to clean water for each and every citizen," he said while addressing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at Radisson Blu Hotel in Chattogram this morning (4 September).

The minister called for greater collaboration among the government, private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure more effective delivery of public services.

"Government officials alone cannot always reach every sphere of society. NGOs have the outreach, while the private sector brings experience, financing and investment. The government provides policy support and facilitates programmes. All these elements need to come together," he said.

These remarks came as Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA), Max Foundation Bangladesh and Nepal, and Max Social Enterprise Ltd signed a tripartite agreement.

The agreement will launch a 12-month pilot project to provide community-based water services in Wards 40 and 41 of North and South Patenga.

Engineer Selim Md Jane Alam, managing director of CWASA; Dr ATM Tariqul Islam, country director of Max Foundation Bangladesh and Nepal and regional director for South Asia; and Yameen Farook, managing director of Max Social Enterprise Ltd, signed the agreement.

The pilot will test innovative public-private partnership (PPP) models for water service delivery. CWASA will retain ownership of the water infrastructure and supply bulk water, while Max Social Enterprise, through its Max Tap Water initiative, will manage community-focused water distribution using Internet of Things (IoT)-monitored systems.

The project will not require any financial contribution from CWASA or the government, with private-sector resources and financial and technical support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands expected to support its implementation.

Speaking as the special guest, Janna van der Linden, deputy head of mission and head of trade and development at the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh, reiterated the Netherlands' commitment to sustainable water resource management in Bangladesh.

The finance minister said the initiative reflects the government's broader economic policy of bringing public, private and non-governmental actors together to improve service delivery.

He also highlighted the Netherlands' experience in water management, saying Bangladesh, as a delta country, could benefit from Dutch expertise.

"Water management is not only about providing clean water; it is also about drainage, managing canals and rivers, and using waterways as a means of transportation," he added.

Khosru said Chattogram has potential to develop its waterways because of its numerous rivers and canals, but their potential has not been properly utilised.

"If this pilot project succeeds, I hope it will be expanded to other parts of Chattogram and eventually across the country," he added.

The finance minister also called for greater utilisation of the country's underdeveloped waterfronts, saying they could be transformed into economic and public assets.

He said waterfront development could include walkways, public spaces and economic activities, arguing that such facilities could contribute to local economies by supporting vendors, businesses and riverside communities.

The minister expressed hope that Bangladesh and the Netherlands would work together on a comprehensive approach to water management, waterfront development and the economic use of waterways.

Meanwhile, CWASA officials outlined long-term plans, in line with ministry directives, to completely phase out urban groundwater extraction by 2030.