Chapter
8:
Case
studies
in
Wadi
Siham
operational
choices
introduced
by
the
WSIP
are
debatable.
Particularly
in
Waqir,
technical
faults
are
widespread.
Although
technical
faults
are
seldom
the
result
of
deliberate
acts
by
the
engineer,
they
are
consquences
of
a
lack
of
transparency
and
accountability.
Technical
faults
can
severely
impede
the
irrigation
system
from
functioning
properly
and
as
such
can
significantly
hamper
the
achievement
of
a
project’s
objective.
Additionally,
by
creating
a
situation
of
water
scarcity,
they
open
up
further
spaces
for
power
games,
conflicts,
and
unequal
water
distribution.
The
boundary
between
vested
interest
and
corruption
becomes
blurred.
Often,
the
excuse
of
water
resources
development
hides
the
real
purpose
behind
powerful
stakeholders
who
aim
to
channel
and
manage
funds
and
public
money
to
reinforce
and
nurture
their
patronage
systems.
After
the
implementation
of
the
WSIP,
the
TDA
is
considered
by
local
farmers
to
be
the
only
institution
responsible
for
the
delivery
and
management
of
the
floodwater
resources
and
for
settling
disputes
concerning
water
distribution