25 Feb 2016

The Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism is aware of the water shortage in Ghoha and the saline water at Linyanti borehole in the Chobe National Park. 

Responding to a parliamentary question on Wednesday, Minister Tshekedi Khama said the situation had been prevailing for the past three years and attempts had been made to address the situation.  

Minister Khama explained that his ministry drilled boreholes in Ghoha and Linyanti in 2012 and 2014 respectively. He said the Ghoha borehole dried up in 2013 while Linyanti has saline water.  He said the desalination plant that was used in Ghoha was made dysfunctional by the saline water in the area in 2008. 

He further said to address the situation, they secured the P30 million for water provision in protected areas including Chobe national park.  

However, the minister said a new borehole will be drilled in Ghoha and a water facility will be purchased for Linyanti to address the welfare of staff. Mr Khama said the activities will take place in April and May 2016.  

The minister was responding to a question by Chobe MP, Mr Ronald Shamukuni when he asked the minister if he was aware of the serious water crisis at the Chobe National Park and if he was made aware of the dysfunctional desalination plant at Ghoha. Ends