Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 15

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these.

SAQ 15.1 (tests Learning Outcome 15.1)

Match the following words to their correct definitions.

Using the following two lists, match each numbered item with the correct letter.

  1. microenterprises

  2. public–private partnerships

  3. labour productivity

  • a.small businesses with fewer than ten people working in them

  • b.the amount of work that each employee does

  • c.a collaboration between a public body and private companies

The correct answers are:
  • 1 = a
  • 2 = c
  • 3 = b

SAQ 15.2 (tests Learning Outcome 15.2)

From the report by Marin (2009) on public–private partnerships, which of the following statements are false? Give reasons why they are so.

  • A.A public–private partnership always results in more people having access to piped water.
  • B.Public–private partnerships often result in improved service quality.
  • C.Public–private partnerships are very efficient at collecting payments but don’t worry about non-revenue water.
  • D.In public–private partnerships labour productivity increases, due only to reduction in staff numbers.
  • E.The figures indicate that public–private partnerships are becoming more popular.

Answer

A is false. Increased access comes about only when the public partner invests the money.

C is false. Because they are concerned about income, public–private partnerships pay a lot of attention to reducing non-revenue water.

D is false. Labour productivity increases due to two factors: a reduction in staff numbers and an increase in the number of customers.

SAQ 15.3 (tests Learning Outcome 15.2)

List and briefly describe the measures by which the success or otherwise of a public–private partnership providing water supply services can be assessed.

Answer

The following criteria may be used to measure the success of a PPP providing water supply.

  • a.Accessibility – the extent of coverage of the population, and the distance to the water point.
  • b.Affordability – the cost of the water needed should be less than 5% of the household’s income.
  • c.Cost recovery – the cost of providing the water should be claimed back from the population.
  • d.Minimisation of non-revenue water – this should be reduced to 15% or less.
  • e.Water quality – the water should meet national standards for quality.
  • f.Operational efficiency – the quantity of water supplied per capita, and the duration of water supply per day.

SAQ 15.4 (tests Learning Outcome 15.3)

  • a.Name two types of microenterprise that supply water to poor people in Ethiopian towns and cities.
  • b.What is the main disadvantage that these consumers face?
  • c.According to Sharma and Bereket (2008), what would help to overcome the above disadvantage?

Answer

  • a.The microenterprises concerned are water kiosks and water vendors.
  • b.The main disadvantage consumers face is the high cost of the water.
  • c.This disadvantage can be overcome by assistance provided to the consumers to obtain their own private water connections.

Summary of Study Session 15