07 Jan 2016

The Member of Parliament for Serowe South, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi has informed residents of Serowe that the water reconnection fee will remain at P40 as the issue is still being discussed.

Addressing a meeting at Morwakwena kgotla this week, Dr Venson-Moitoi informed her electorates that she had a discussion with Minister Kitso Mokaila, under whose portfolio water falls, and that he has assured her that the reconnection fee would remain the same until further notice.

Residents expressed concern at what they termed high water reconnection fees after a Water Utilities Corporation official informed them of the increase from the initial P40 to P400 in developed areas and P150 in rural villages.

The hike in tariffs did not sit well with residents who sought the criteria used in arriving at the fee. This prompted Dr Venson-Moitoi, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to call the portfolio minister. 

At the meeting, residents learnt that they would no longer be charged sewerage fees separately, but would form part of their monthly water bills.

The general manager of Serowe WUC, Mr Innocent Leonard said the government has decided to install prepaid metres in homes. He said companies were still bidding on the effectiveness and efficiency of their metres.

However, Mr Leonard said the project would not be implemented in the short term since it was only allocated P15 million which was too meager for national coverage.

On other water related issues, Mr Leonard informed residents of Mogatsapoo that they had been requested to submit all names of people who had paid P1 000 to be connected to the sewerage line under the special dispensation during the project construction period.

He told complaining residents that they were still awaiting response from the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources on whether to refund or connect residents at a later stage since they have already requested for funds for the same.

Mr Leonard noted that the complaints started in 2011 when they assumed provision of water in Serowe. He also noted that initially the project was carried out between the Central District Council and the Department of Water Affairs.

At the meeting in question, residents complained that they have been kept in the dark for a long time, and at times sent from pillar to post upon seeking answers on whether or not they would be connected to the sewerage line. Ends