Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has promised that water scarcity will soon be a problem of the past due to various water projects and associated works being carried out across the country.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Gamononyane-Molepolole North South Carrier (NSC) connection and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Molepolole water and sanitation project yesterday, President Masisi explained that securing funding under the state of emergency during the 12th Parliament, enabled his administration to address water shortage in the southern part of the country.
To achieve that, he said three major pipelines needed to be completed to draw water from sources in the northern region such as Dikgatlhong and Masama to Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant.
He further elaborated on water infrastructure projects undertaken to improve water supply in Molepolole. He said with the completion of the NSC pipelines, he commissioned the Gamononyane-Molepolole NSC connection in November 2021 to bring water to Molepolole.
He said since water had arrived in Molepolole, the next phase was the water distribution network project, which involved replacing old damaged pipes to improve the reliability and efficiency of water supply to homes, and that the project would run concurrently with the sanitation project.
“Once all these projects are completed, the water situation in Molepolole would greatly improve,” he said.
President Masisi expressed his gratitude to Bakwena for their patience and trust in government’s efforts to provide reliable water supply.
Remarking on the project, Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Dr Kefentse Mzwinila revealed the substantial financial commitment made by government towards improving the water infrastructure in Molepolole. The investment in the Gamononyane-Molepolole NSC connection, water distribution network and sanitation projects, he said, amounted to P2.3 billion, which demonstrated government’s dedication to enhancing the quality and reliability of water supply in the area.
Dr Mzwinila further explained that the sanitation project in Molepolole would be one of the largest in the country after the Glen Valley project.He also explained that all the projects came about after the President instructed in April 2018 that all lagging water projects should be completed so that people could have access to clean, potable water.
Water Utilities Corporation chief executive officer, Mr Gaselemogwe Senai said the Gamononyane-Molepolole NSC connection benefited 12 villages around Molepolole, and that the project was jointly carried out by Zentai Joint Venture and Dunns Joint Venture.
He said the Gamononyane pump station had the capacity to pump 72 million litres of water per day, but currently only supplied 30 million litres due to limitations at the Mmamashia treatment plant.
Mr Senai further said Gamononyane pump station currently supplied 3.5 million litres to Thamaga, 3.5 million litres to Moshupa, 5 million litres to Molepolole and 1.5 million litres to Kopong.
He, however, said the 13 million litres daily water requirements of Molepolole far exceeded available supply, leading to a significant shortfall of 3 million litres. The shortage, he said, was exacerbated by the outdated water infrastructure, with 800 leakages in the village coupled with some leakages from water metres, resulting in losses of up to 57 million litres of water per day.
For his part, Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng commended the President for his unwavering commitment to improving water infrastructure in Molepolole and a wide range of development projects.
Kgosi Kgari Sechele III expressed his concern about the large amount of fresh potable water being lost due to leakages. He, however, commended government’s dedication to addressing the water challenges in his village.
President Masisi also unveiled the plague for the Gamononyane-Molepolole NSC connection at Matlhabanelo pump station and conducted the ground breaking ceremony of the Molepolole water sanitation project at pump station 3 and went for a site visit at Molepolole Wastewater Treatment Plant at Marapalalo farms.
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