SDLP Opposition Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has said that NI Water’s budget overspend has underlined the need for fundamental change in the way the organisation is run and funded.
He was speaking following a statement from Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: “Given the huge challenges facing NI Water it comes as little surprise that the organisation has overspent its budget this year as it aims to uphold its responsibilities.
“This situation also points to the failure of Ministers to acknowledge just how dire the situation facing NI Water is, with catastrophic consequences for everything from our environment to building housing.
“Today I asked the Minister to ensure the remit of the appointed forensic accountants will include assessment of NI Water’s current funding model and commit to change if necessary.
“The SDLP has repeatedly highlighted the underfunding of NI Water, but also the issues caused by the way funding is currently allocated.
“This has fallen on deaf ears and left us in the situation we now find ourselves.
“Funding for NI Water must be strategic and long-term, something so important that impacts so many facets of life here cannot be done on a piecemeal basis in yearly monitoring rounds.
“The best way to achieve this is through an expert-led review of NI Water’s funding and governance arrangements, but the Minister continues to reject this out of hand, with a sticking plaster approach that will do little to address the fundamental issues within NI Water.”
