22 Mar 2016

Despite recent good rains, efforts to manage the country’s limited water resources must continue, says the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila.

He told delegates at this year’s Water Pitso that the government has made notable achievements to address acute water shortages to ensure sustenance of potable water supply at all times.

He said interventions included water infrastructure development such as the Masama East wellfield to augment the Greater Gaborone supply by at least 20 million litres per day.

He said there was connection of the Bokaa-Gaborone bypass to treat water at the Gaborone Water Works and the connection of Mmadinare and Selebi Phikwe to the Shashe Dam/Phikwe line so as to reduce load on Letsibogo Dam. 

“There has also been drilling of boreholes at strategic villages such as Shorobe and Selokolela/Kanye, rehabilitation of the Ramotswa wellfields including construction of a water treatment plant at Boatle. Borehole rehabilitation of Maun wellfields has also been undertaken to help augment supply in the Maun and peripheral associate villages and settlements,” he said.

Mr Mokaila said in an effort to increase access to transboundary water resources, Botswana would continue engaging with neighbouring countries to access shared water resources such as that of the Chobe-Zambezi and Lesotho Highlands.

He said Botswana was also encouraging partnerships with other stakeholders in fighting the battle. “Example at hand is the “Somarela Thothi” project, collaboration between the FNBB Foundation, Water Utilities Corporation, Limpopo Watercourse Commission and the GIZ Transboundary Water Management Programme,” he said.

Minister Mokaila said the government has provided emergency drought funding to the tune of P39.9 million for various projects countrywide to augment supply in water stressed villages.  

He said a budget has been allocated to the ministry to help implement ongoing and planned measures.

The Water Pitso theme has been maintained from last years: Sustainable interventions to address Botswana water challenges in partnership with stakeholders. ENDS