Test Drive | Page 181

Chapter  9:  Case  studies  in  Ta’izz     becoming  the  rule.  One  of  the  issues  that  was  raised  is  NWRA’s  issuing  permission  to  drillers’  owners  (private   93 individuals  who  run  the  drilling  business)  without  reverting  to  the  district  and  local  council  authorities.   Law   The   problem   is   not   only   a   lack   of   law   enforcement,   although   that   is   an   important   part   of   it.   The   law   is   ambiguous   and   full   of   loopholes.   For   example,   the   law   indicates   that   water   cannot   be   transferred   outside   a   specific   area   unless   for   drinking   use.   Shuja,   head   of   NWRA   Ta’izz,   finds   it   difficult   to   monitor   these   kinds   of   water   transfers,   which   are   subject   to   manipulation   given   the   current   circumstances.   Punishments   in   the   law   are  either  not  strong  enough,  or  subject  to  different  interpretations  by  law  enforcement  offciers,  to  prevent   people   from   committing   violations.   For   example,   the   law   says   that   a   punishment   indicates   a   fine   that   is   “no   more  than”  or  a  prison  sentence  that  “does  not  exceed”.  Shuja  thinks  that  it  should  be  rather  “no  less  than”   and  leave  it  to  the  court  to  determine  the  punishment.     Alternative  Dispute  Resolution   Informal   dispute   resolution   mechanisms   are   weak   and   ineffective.   There   is   a   lack   of   understanding   of   traditional  rules  that  regulate  water  use,  particularly  for  irrigation.     Further  recommendations  for  Ta’izz   •   There   needs   to   be   clear   regulations   for   the   distance   to   which   water   can   be   transferred   outside   the   original  water  source,  in  particular  for  water  used  for  irrigation  purposes.    These  regulations  should  include  the   distance   to   which   water   can   be   transferred   and   the   quantities   of   water   allowed   to   be   pumped   out   for   that   purpose.       •   A   strategy   or   manual   should   be   developed   that   outlines   practical   first   responses   to   disputes   concerning   water.   It   should   be   drafted   with   participation   from   NWRA   Sana’a,   NWRA   Ta’izz,   the   Governor’s   office,   district   directors,   district   security   directors,   prosecution   officers,   local   judges   and   user   groups.   In   addition,  Akels  and