The Board of Wastewater Management Authority (WMA) has adopted the following Code of Conduct for Board members of the WMA.
The purpose of the Code is to provide:
- Guidance to Board members and help them recognise and deal with ethical issues; and
- Help foster a culture of honesty and accountability and mechanisms to report unethical conduct.
The Code should not be considered as an exhaustive document and should be complemented by applicable laws.
Board members should act in good faith and make and enact informed decisions and policies in the best interests of WMA. They have a responsibility to carry out their duties diligently, in an honest manner, with reasonable competence and act within the scope of their authority. They must consistently attend Board meetings and devote sufficient time to ensure familiarity with the Authority’s business and environment. Board members should ensure observance of confidentiality provisions of non-public information disclosed to them. They must act in a manner which enhances and maintains the reputation of the WMA at all times.
Board members must, as far as possible, avoid conflicts and where a conflict or potential conflict arises, same must be disclosed and all procedures for dealing with such cases must be strictly adhered to. Board members who are conflicted regarding a particular issue should not participate in the related discussions and decision-making. A conflict of interest may occur when:
- A Board member’s personal interest is adverse to or may seem to be adverse to the interests of the WMA.
- A Board member of his or her immediate family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his/her position in the WMA.
Some of the common conflicts Board members should avoid are listed below:
- Personal benefits received from a person/Company seeking to do business or to retain the services of the WMA.
- Gifts which are not customary in normal business relationships should not be accepted nor given to any person/Company seeking to do business or to retain the services of the WMA.
- Engaging in any outside business, professional or other activities that would directly or indirectly adversely affect the WMA.
Board members must not take improper advantage of their position or use WMA’s property or position for personal gain. Directors may not use any information or opportunity received by them in their capacity as Board members in a manner that would be detrimental to WMA’s interests.
Board members must comply, and oversee compliance by employees, officers and other Board members, with laws, rules and regulations applicable to the WMA. Board members must deal fairly, and must oversee fair dealings by employees and officers, with WMA’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. Board members should encourage the reporting of any illegal or unethical behaviour. They should communicate any suspected breaches of this Code promptly to the Chairperson of the Corporate Governance Committee or Secretary to the Board. Any breach of the Code will be investigated and appropriate actions taken as necessary.
Any waiver of this Code may be made only by the WMA Board.