THE "WATER FOR ALL" man is back, for now.

Ganga Singh, the former United National Congress (UNC) public utilities minister known for the "Water for All" initiative, has been named acting chief executive officer (CEO) of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA).

During his stint as Public Utilities Minister under the Basdeo Panday-administration, Singh spearheaded the "Water for All" initiative which never materialised. The initiative was considered a pipe-dream by the opposition People's National Movement (PNM).

Singh presented the initiative's sequel, "Water Security for All", while on the campaign trail for the People's Partnership during the build-up to May 24 general election. Singh, a founding member of the Congress of the People (COP), said the restructured water drive would be implemented once the People's Partnership secured victory in the general election. He now has an opportunity to make that dream a reality with his new portfolio.

Singh assumes the CEO role from English national Andrew Smith, who resigned "in recognition of the election by the people of Trinidad and Tobago of a new government on May 24", Public Utilities Minister Emmanuel George said at a press conference at the ministry's Elizabeth Street, St Clair offices yesterday.

Smith resigned after just over three months on the job. He refused to comment about the circumstances surrounding his resignation when contacted by the Express yesterday

On April 12, Smith assumed office from Dr Jim Lee Young, who began his tenure at WASA in January as deputy CEO and acted as the CEO for the company.

Yesterday, George said Smith is expected to demit office on July 31, according to his resignation letter.

However, former public utilities minister in the PNM government, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, yesterday described Singh's appointment as CEO as "extremely unusual".

"It is extremely unusual. Smith's appointment (as CEO) was as a result of an international search. It was not political. Executive positions are not intended to be political appointments. I can see several sectors in society beginning to worry as a result of this move. Smith did not even finish his probation period," Abdul-Hamid said. George, however, said Singh was selected as CEO because of his experience and knowledge.

"The goal to supply water in a minimum of two days per week to those who currently receive a supply less than that or none at all, within a year is, you will agree, a formidable task and this is the major reason for my decision to have Mr Ganga Singh take on the task of chief executive officer," George said.

"Having worked with Mr Singh previously, I am aware that he is experienced and quite knowledgeable about the Water and Sewerage Authority and the issue of delivering water to the population, and the population, I think, is quite aware of his competence."

George was permanent secretary at the Public Utilities Ministry while Singh was minister. Singh was Public Utilities Minister between 1995 and 2000. Singh will act as CEO until a substantive one is appointed, George said. A substantive CEO will be selected when WASA's new board of directors is installed, George said.

The proposed list of names for the WASA board is currently before Cabinet for consideration, he said. Singh was selected to avoid "a lacuna at the level of" CEO as a result of Smith's resignation, George said.

Singh was Public Utilities Minister when a 20-year contract was awarded to the Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Desalcott) in August 1999. An investigation was launched into the project in 2001 by Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj. Canadian forensic investigator, Bob Lindquist, conducted the probe into the multi-million dollar desalination plant contract. During a sitting of Parliament in 2006, then AG John Jeremie said an arrest was imminent in the Desalcott matter.