Message from the Minister of MCTPC:

Following the Prime Ministerial Decision No. 37/PM, dated 30 September 1999 regarding the management and development of the water supply sector, the Ministry of Communication Transport Post and Construction (MCTPC) was assigned to play the leading role in facilitating, coordinating and providing guidance on all aspects of water supply development and waste-water management in urban and small towns across the country. MCTPC also promotes, mobilizes and utilize resources for developing the water supply sector to achieve the set up goals.
Since 1990, the development of water supply has been increasingly successful. Water supply enterprises have been rapidly developed across the country in the larger urban centres. The Water Supply Authority (WASA), established in 1999, is being progressively strengthened to undertake its mandate as a national regulator for water supply sector to ensure that growing demands and aspirations of society are met and addressed in a sustainable manner.
At present, MCTPC is in the on-going process of reviewing the draft decree regarding the role of the regulator for the water supply sector. As stated in the draft decree, the Water Supply Advisory Board has changed its title to the Water Supply Authority Regulatory Board. The roles of this Board are to ensure that WASA is carrying out its responsibilities in accordance with its legal obligations and government policy; provide policy and guidance for WASA; and to mediate between the regulated companies and WASA in the event of a dispute. The WASA Regulatory Board is comprised of members from different backgrounds including representatives from customers, operators and various government departments .Our principal achievement to date is the National Water Tariff Policy for Lao PDR, approved by the Prime Minister of Lao PDR under Decree No. 57/PM, dated 07 May 2004. The National Water Tariff Policy will be the major tool for regulation of water supply business by WASA. In the future, WASA will develop detailed guidelines for water tariff determination to enable water suppliers and local authorities throughout the country to implement and realize this policy.
The Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction will continue to support and facilitate the local authorities in effective management and sustainable development of water supply provision.