21 Sep 2015

The Bokspits International Water Resource Management pilot project will improve the lives of the community. 

The pilot project entails the installation of 5 000 litres of tanks in 131 households in Bokspits, the drilling of three boreholes for watering livestock and irrigation purposes. A senior programme officer from the SADC secretariat, Water Sector Coordination Unit, Mr Phera Ramoeli said when handing over the project to residents recently.

He urged them to participate in the project. Mr Ramoeli said the SADC region was experiencing challenges of lack of water hence the need to account for every drop. “It will also help in sanitation and hygiene to make sure that good health is maintained,” he said. 

He urged the community to ensure that the project was sustainable. They were also informed that they were responsible for protecting and maintaining the infrastructure. 

Mr Ramoeli also thanked the community for their contribution, international partners and individuals who played a role in ensuring that the project becomes a success.  For his part, the director of Water Affairs, Dr Obolokile Obakeng said the project came at the right time when the country was grappling with water shortage. 

He said it was a step in the right direction to find a sustainable solution, adding that the P3.5 million has different components such as poverty eradication and capacity building for water conservation. 

Dr Obakeng said the government was trying to provide water in a sustainable manner. He noted that a feasibility study had been completed to find out the possibility of drawing water from Lesotho for use in the area to address the issue of saline water. 

“The water affairs department is also trying to find efficient technology in which they can treat the saline water so that it can be used for other purposes,” he said. Welcoming guests, Kgosi Serai Ersteerhuizen said he believes that the project would come in handy for his people.  He urged residents to take advantage of it to better their living standards. Ends