SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
Mr Durkan said the state of the wastewater system was delaying infrastructure projects across the North.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The crisis at NI Water requires immediate intervention from the Infrastructure Minister and the Executive as a whole.
“This is impacting all aspects of life in the North, stopping us from building 19,000 homes during a housing crisis, delaying university expansion, halting other major infrastructure projects and preventing us from taking the action needed to protect our environment.
“Despite the scale of the problems facing our wastewater system, the Executive and Minister are failing to treat this with the seriousness and urgency needed.
“There are no quick fix solutions, and the Minister must communicate to the Executive and the public what the solutions might be.
“The Minister has been quick to rule out proposals to address these issues, but has been far less forthcoming on what meaningful measures he might consider.
“A good start would be implementing the recommendations of the recent audit office report and commissioning an expert-led independent review of how NI Water is funded and the governance arrangements in place.
“The Minister should also work with Executive colleagues to bring forward a range of credible options that will actually solve the issues facing NI Water.
“The SDLP Opposition is ready to engage constructively with any proposals, but if we don’t see action soon there will be further consequences when it comes to our economy, our environment and for the general public.”
