29 Mar 2017

The shortage of water for agricultural projects has prompted the government to make use of waste water.
This was said by Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe when touring the Mahalapye waste water re-use project on March 28.
He said the project was one of the poverty eradication initiatives aimed at addressing water shortage in horticulture.
He said to address the crisis and minimise the number of collapsing projects due to water shortage, the government saw it fit to tap into waste water for use by beneficiaries in the Mahalapye Sub-district.
However, Mr Kwerepe was dissapointed by the slow pace of contractors awarded the work, noting that the more time they took, the more the government was going to spend on the project.
He said a lot of money had gone into the project and appealed to relevant government officials to monitor it and advise where necessary.
Mr Kwerepe urged contractors to show commitment and dedication for the project as beneficiaries were waiting. About 25 horticulture beneficiaries would benefit from the 40hactare project.
The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) is currently carrying out a works contract for the recovery and storage of waste water from the Mahalapye evaporation ponds for utilisation on crop production.
The project encompasses design, Environmental Impact Assessment study and construction of the scheme.
A feasibility study was carried out in 2012-13, and DWA awarded the contract to local construction companies. The project would be done in two phases.
Contractor, Mr Wilson Kejebile of Matd Construction Company, which has been awarded Phase I of the project, said the project started late as the company was faced with challenges among them encroachment of the project area by illegal settlers.
He said the project could have started last October but commenced in January, the time when the company was supposed to complete the work.
However, he said squatters were taken care of and all the materials needed were on site and hoped to have finished by mid-April.
Phase 2 of the project awarded to Try-On Construction Company, has started and involves clearing the 40 hectare plot to be used by beneficiaries. The company is expected to be done by July. ENDS