29 Mar 2015

Minerals, energy and water resources minister, Mr Kitso Mokaila, says Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) inherited poor infrastructure following decentralisation of water services.

Answering a question in parliament during minister’s question time on March 27, Minister Mokaila said initially there were 18 different agencies providing water amongst them WUC, 16 local authorities and water affairs department.

This, he said, was problematic as there were no standards on the pipes used, tariffs and level of services hence WUC faced leaking pipes after adopting the facilities.

The minister further said WUC could not be expected to be profitable as government subsidised water tariffs in order to make water accessible to all Batswana. Talking about the poor sewerage system in Gaborone, Mr Mokaila said the Gaborone City Council (GCC) was to blame for the poor infrastructure.

He said Dikgatlhong Dam was currently pumping water at the required amount and there were no problems.The minister said they managed to repair leaks along the North-South Carrier through steel pipes.

He explained that all pumps along the pipe line drawing water from the northern part to the southern part of the country were functional, save for Makoro ’standby pump currently undergoing maintenance. Minister Mokaila further said all pumps use electricity hence are unable to work whenever there was a power outage.

He was responding to a question from Ghanzi North MP Noah Salakae who wanted the minister to explain challenges emanating from the decentralisation of water services, losses at WUC and the usage of pit latrines in Gaborone while there was a sewerage infrastructure.

MP Salake further wanted the minister to explain what his ministry was doing about water leakages, Dikgatlhong Dam pump plant failure and the leakages along the North South Carrier. ENDS