13 Jun 2016

The quality of water that goes into the dam is largely determined by the human activity in the city and surrounding areas.

Giving an example, the acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) Mr Mmetla Masire said indiscriminate dumping of waste in a catchment area will result in polluted water finding its way into the dam, which will in turn result in increased costs for WUC to clean the water to potable standards.

Mr Masire was speaking at the handover of garden tools, storeroom and water system toilets to Phase IV garden centre on Thursday in Francistown.

He said it is government’s wish and indeed WUC’s to see everyone in Botswana having access to clean water as espoused in the national Vision 2016 ideals.

Mr Masire said the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) also state that the number of people without clean water and sanitation should be reduced.

He said it is therefore one of their mandatory responsibilities to see they provide clean and safe water and work with the nation to curb water contamination.

Mr Masire encouraged the group to take care of the facilities, adding that he believes the availability of the ablution facilities will ensure there is no contamination of the river from the project and the storeroom will ensure safety for the group’s tools.

He further said he calls upon all corporate, individuals and other organisations privileged  to have resources to share with others  to extend a helping hand to those in need, adding it does not have to be material support only.

WUC chairperson for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee, Mr Senatla Oneile said the WUC-CSR policy places a lot of emphasis on environmental preservation and promotes environmental awareness in communities, which had much impact on choosing to undertake the project.

Mr Oneile noted that it is against this background that the Ipopeng Life Skills foundation project was identified as a recipient of funding, which has cost P80 000.

“The selection process for a recipient of our funding was done in conjuction with the city leaders and was found to be more deserving,” he said.

Furthermore, he said they believe that the facilities donated will go a long way in supporting the Ipopeng youth in their endeavor to run a blossoming horticultural project, which will help them to become self-sufficient and or even create employment for others outside the foundation.

Ward Development Committee (WDC) member, Mr Victor Kgosietsile applauded the support WUC has shown on the community of Phase IV, adding it will give them courage to work hard at the garden as they now have a safe place to put their tools and the rest rooms.

He said WUC’s effort will help them go a long way and help youth in a long time as their main aim is to help unemployed and vulnerable youth to find something to do than roam the streets, which sometimes contributes to them indulging in criminal acts.

Mr Kgosietsile noted that they have shortages of water in their garden and are forced to use watering cans, which slows their productivity rate as they fetch water from the river.

“We also have a challenge of our garden not fenced well, which allows animals and people to intrude and destroy our crops,” he said.

He said although faced with challenges, they are going to work hard to solve the issues at hand to complement this WUC’s wonderful gift.

Mr Kgosietsile encouraged other WDCs from the constituency to join hands and work together in order to produce fruitful results. ends