05 May 2016

Some poverty eradication programmes based on agricultural production are hampered by the shortage of water in the Maun region, the district animal production officer, Mr Baagi Chilume revealed. 

When briefing the Presidential Inspectorate Task team which was in Maun  recently as part of their mandate to inspect poverty eradication projects, Mr Chilume admitted that most of the agricultural programmes had ended up failing because of water scarcity.

With Thamalakane River, which is the main source of water, experiencing low levels, the problem is notably deteriorating, he lamented, pointing out that, apart from being the main source of surface water, Thamalakane River also recharged boreholes in the the area.

He said even with livestock projects the problem was the same as animals are faced with movement restrictions as a result of frequent foot and mouth outbreaks.

A Water Utilities Corporation official, Mr Edwin Ndlovu confirmed the shortage, but assured the task team that interventions were being made to improve the water situation in Maun.

Mr Ndlovu explained that the water sector, like any other sector, was affected by the recent economic recession as most of the infrastructure had remained unattended to in terms of expansion and rehabilitation.

Therefore, he said a lot of infrastructure was in a bad state characterised by inadequate water storage and limited distribution network in terms of size and coverage.

For example, he said the daily water demand in Maun was about 11 mega liters while the storage was only five mega liters.

The idea was that the storage should double the demand to cater for volatile breakdowns, said the water supply official, adding that currently, any breakdown cut down the water supply in Maun.

Also Mr Ndlovu explained that sewage network system in the village was limited as it covered inner areas and places next to the town only

As for the interventions he said the planned Maun Water Supply and Sanitation Rehabilitation project would improve the water situation in the area, and it includes improving existing water sources, upgrading existing reticulation system such as tanks, distribution networks, as well as network expansion to cover Maun buildable areas.

He said the design was completed and tender documents for construction had been submitted by the consultant to the ministry for review and submission to Public Procurement & Asset Disposal Board (PPADB), stated Mr Ndlovu.

He said there were a number of boreholes which were not connected to the system and this project would electrify and automate the operation of such boreholes to address the issue of inaccessibility during flooding.

The inspectorate task team that was in Maun comprised s traveling around the country undertaking Mr Peter Siele, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri, Mr Newman Kahia and Mr Gabolekwe Tlogelang was in Maun . Ends