23 Feb 2017

The recent heavy down pours in Kweneng District  is still experiencing water shortage despite the recent down pours says Molepolole/ Lentsweletau Adiministration Authority (MAA) sub council chairperson, Mr Botokanyana Motoroko.

Speaking during the opening of the full sub council meeting on Monday, Mr Motoroko, said although natural water catchment areas are full, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) is still experiencing a number of boreholes with a decline in yield, with Khudumelapye, Ngware, Botlhapatlou, Hatsalatladd and Sojwe being the most affected villages.  

He also pointed out that these villages supply Boatlaname and Shadishadi  villages.

However, Mr Motoroko said that WUC is trying to alleviate this problem by augmenting water supply through water bowsing to affected villages while Maratswane settlement is bowsed once a week and that the same service will be extended to Khudumelapye.

On the other hand, the sub council chairperson has indicated that some villages which were experiencing acute water shortage are now relieved as there has been a slight reduction in water demand due to the recent falls.

Still on water shortage, most areas in Molepolole have been grappling with water supply challenges  with some areas experiencing water shortage of up to four months, the situation Mr Motoroko explained was caused by frequent power cuts at the beginning of the rainy season at Gaotlhobogwe and Malwelwe fields.

However, the North South Carrier pipeline which is anticipated to connect Thamaga is expected to ease the water situation in Molepolole as Thamaga will be receiving water from the pipeline.

The sub council chairperson has expressed concern over a number of cases involving vandalism of WUC property.  

He said that the damage is prevalent in water pipelines which are traversing long distances.

“We receive reports of frequent occurrence of vandalism on stand pipes especially in Molepolole and Medie,” he said, adding that this is affecting service delivery to communities of such villages.

Also, farmers have been pin pointed to damage of distribution pipelines since the inception of prepaid standpipes.

Therefore, Mr Motoroko has appealed to councillors to urge members of their communities to desist from such behavior.  He has also challenged those with the responsibility of maintaining the water supply network to improve on their response time whenever they receive reports of water leakage or damages.

On other issues, the sub council chairperson has told councillors that in the year 2017/18 the Sub -district has received tentative budget ceiling amounting to P125, 421, 407.   He said that the amount is lower than the proposed budget of P137, 575, 800, with a cut off amounting to P12, 154, 393.  

The budget he said will negatively affect development delivery by the sub-district.  

Out of this proposed budget , he said the council anticipate to improve in procurement of better quantities of stationery to schools and also maintenance of some facilities. BOPA