05 Mar 2015

Government is undertaking some infrastructural development projects aimed at addressing water supply shortage in some centres of Botswana.

Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Mr Kitso Mokaila told Parliament on Tuesday, March 4 such developments include the completion of Phase 2 of the North South Carrier Scheme, additional works on the Lotsane Dam and associated infrastructure and completion of the Thune Dam water supply networks and treatment works.

The minister explained this as he tabled his ministry’s P3.7billion budget estimates for the 2015/16 financial year, which was approved on Wednesday after contributions by Members of Parliament.

He said the pipeline from Dikgatlhong Dam, meant for transmission of water along the eastern corridor was completed in October, and is currently undergoing commissioning and trial operations. He said the 300km pipeline, which is part of the Phase 2 of North South Carrier Scheme, terminates in Palapye.

“Ä pipeline link from Palapye to Gaborone is currently at tender stage. Construction for this section is planned to commence in January 2016 for completion in March 2020,”Mr Mokaila said.

He added that additional works on the Lotsane Dam and associated infrastructure will increase efficiency of water supply within the existing distribution network systems for villages of Diloro, Ratholo, Majwaneng, Moremi, Manaledi and Moeng College. Further, he said the project will include the village of Malaka in the system.

The minister pointed that tendering for completion of Thune Dam water supply networks was delayed after completion of the dam construction in 2013, but the ministry was doing everything possible to have the pipeline contracts awarded to avoid further delays.

Mr Mokaila also said his ministry sees groundwater as major part in the development of water resources. “To investigate the possibility of additional groundwater resources, the Department of Water Affairs is undertaking Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) study. The MAR study explores possibilities of banking or storing water underground for security of supply during droughts or need,” he said, explaining that the pre-feasibility study was concluded in October.

He also said his ministry was developing strategic pipelines to transfer water from the source to consumers, with plans in place to draw 495 million cubic metres of water annually from the Chobe/Zambezi River system for the planned Zambezi Agro-Commercial Development Project in Pandamatenga, and water supply via the North South Carrier Scheme.

He also said the ministry has commenced connection of Masama well field water to inject into the North South Carrier. 

“The construction works for injection of Masama water resources into the North South Carrier pipeline has been delayed mainly because a need arose to increase the number of production boreholes and is now expected to be completed in June 2015,” the minister said.

He said construction of additional pipeline infrastructure development projects will help to accommodate water supply for villages such as Kanye, Polokwe, Moshupa, Thamaga, and some villages in Borolong region to the North South Carrier.

Members of Parliament who contributed on the budget estimates generally complained about poor water supply for villages in their constituencies.

Takatokwane MP Mr Ngaka Ngaka said he was saddened by serious water supply problems in the villages of Takatokwane, Dutlwe, Maboane and Khudumelapye. 

He said it was surprising that those villages lack water while a large volume of water from Magagarape in the constituency is used for production at Jwaneng Mine. He suggested that Khudumelapye should be connected with the water treatment plant in Malwelwe.

Letlhakeng / Lephephe MP Mr Liakat Kablay equally said the water supply problem was a worry for villages of Marapyane, Shadishadi and Loologane in his constituency. 

The Vice-President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is also MP of Moshupa/ Manyana, said while the ministry of minerals was doing a good job in terms of infrastructural development, regular feedback on the progress is required because a lot of people in villages in his constituency are thirsty.

Mahalapye East MP Ms Botlogile Tshireletso and Lerala/ Maunatlala MP Mr Prince Maele, however, congratulated the ministry for doing a good work in terms of water reticulation in their constituencies. Mr Maele said all sixteen villages in his constituency are properly supplied with water, save for Goo Sekgweng which has a faulty reservoir.

Ngami MP Mr Thato Kwerepe said the water situation was a depressing issue for villages like XauXau, Xhangwa and Sembowe in his constituency, while Good Hope/ Mabule MP Mr James Mathokgwane said a lot of villages in his constituency were grappling with water supply challenges. ENDS