2004年-世界发展银行全球_Output-Based_Aid_in_Cambodia___Private_Operators_and_Local__Communities_Help_Deliver_Water_to_the_Poor_4页_573kb

OBA Approaches Summary

Core Content

The document discusses the implementation of Output-Based Aid (OBA) in Cambodia as a strategy to improve water and sanitation services in underserved and poor communities. It outlines the challenges of public water provision in the country, the role of private operators, and the government's efforts to promote more equitable access through innovative financing and partnership models.

Main Points

Background on Water Access in Cambodia

• Cambodia is among the world's poorest countries, with a per capita income of $321 and 41% of the population below the poverty line in 2002.
• Only a third of Cambodians have access to a safe water supply, and the situation is worse in rural and periurban areas.
• Public water services are limited, mainly to urban areas like Phnom Penh, while many communities rely on self-provisioning and unregulated private vendors.
• Private operators, though providing better service, charge high one-time connection fees, making water unaffordable for poor households.

OBA Pilot Schemes

• The Cambodian government is piloting OBA in four towns to extend water services to poor communities.
• OBA is a performance-based payment model where the private operator is paid after successfully connecting a household.
• Connection subsidies are provided for poor households through IDA funding.
• The OBA contracts are design-build-and-operate (DBO), while the other 19 towns will use design-build-and-lease (DBL) contracts.
• All contracts cover 15 years and are managed by the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy.

Contract Design and Implementation

• OBA contracts allow for flexibility in service delivery while ensuring quality through technical specifications.
• A regulatory entity, the Contract Administration Unit, ensures compliance and monitors performance.
• Independent engineers initially verify service quality, until the regulator can take over.
• The government pays 5% of the contract amount after initial drilling, 5% after design and engineering, and 80% of the subsidy after certification, with the remaining 10% as a functional guarantee.
• Late payment penalties include modest interest.

Community Participation

• Communities were involved in identifying poor households eligible for subsidies.
• Household surveys and village consultations helped determine poverty criteria and tariff structures.
• Water user groups, known as Clean Water Groups, were introduced to represent communities.
• Over 1,600 households were identified as eligible for subsidies in the first phase, with more under consideration.

Contract Award

• An open tender was conducted for the OBA contracts.
• Two bidders were selected: a Cambodian company and a joint venture (SINCAM) between a Cambodian and Singaporean firm.
• SINCAM won all four OBA contracts, offering 22–28% lower connection charges than the public sector price.
• The OBA contracts were signed in March 2004.

Affordability and Tariffs

• Tariffs for OBA pilot towns range from 1,800 to 2,000 riels ($0.50) per cubic meter.
• Poor households may spend 4.1–6.4% of their income on water, which is above the acceptable threshold of 5%.
• The government is addressing tariff affordability as a key issue, involving consultations with communities and the World Bank.

Future Steps and Expansion

• The success of the pilot has led to the planning of a second batch of four towns for OBA.
• Bidding for these towns is expected in early 2005.
• The World Bank is advising the government on a new water act to strengthen the regulatory framework and attract more private participation.

Key Information

• IDA Funding: Subsidies for poor households are funded by the International Development Association.
• Private Operators: SINCAM is the main operator in the OBA pilot, with a strong incentive to deliver services efficiently.
• Community Involvement: Crucial in identifying eligible households and building local capacity.
• Affordability Concerns: Despite OBA enabling access, water tariffs remain a challenge for the poorest households.
• Regulatory Oversight: A new Contract Administration Unit ensures quality and compliance, supported initially by independent engineers.

Conclusion

The OBA approach in Cambodia aims to improve access to water and sanitation for poor communities by linking payments to performance and offering subsidies. It has shown promise in increasing efficiency and community involvement, though affordability and regulatory transparency remain ongoing concerns. The government is planning for further expansion of OBA schemes and is working on strengthening the legal and regulatory environment to support sustainable service delivery.