10 Mar 2013

The Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila has admitted that the ministry faces challenges of water leakages in its infrastructure and some areas have recorded 30 per cent losses.

He was responding during the minister’s question time in Parliament on Friday. Shoshong MP,  Mr Phillip Makgalemele had asked about excessive water losses as a result of poorly maintained reservoirs and dilapidated pipes in most villages around the country.

Mr Makgelemele had also asked the minister if he was aware of the situation and its impact on the economy. Minister Mokaila they had prioritised water safety and looked at areas where there was need for water treatment facilities.

He noted that water management and conservation was of paramount importance to his ministry thus whenever there was a leakage, the right thing would be to fix it as soon as possible. However, Minister Mokaila explained that they prioritised leaks and dealt with severe ones first, but said it would be difficult to quantify the costs.

He said his ministry was forming teams made up of officers who were exiting their employment so that they could be contracted to repair leakages. Part of the reason for the leakages, he added might be the fact that the quality of the pipes used led to the water wastages.

The MP for Okavango, Mr Bagalatia Arone complained that in Nxamasere, people could stay for up to three months without water and end up drinking from unsafe water sources. The MP for Kgatleng West, Mr Gilbert Mangole said water and electricity crisis in the country was an indication that government was not on top of things. ENDS