25 Nov 2018

Government has come up with alternatives to address water shortage in Kanye and surroundings villages while awaiting completion of the north-south water carrier pipe line project.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi announced this during a kgotla meeting in Kanye on Friday.

He government had purchased 40 bowser trucks as a stop-gap measure to address water shortage.

Bowsing, he said, would not solve the situation permanently, therefore, he urged residents to patiently await completion of the north-south water carrier pipeline, which was expected to put to rest water shortage concerns in the Southern District.

Dr Masisi, however, informed residents that the project had stalled because some farmers whose fields were affected by the project were either not willing to relocate or demanded high compensation.

Although the Constitution provided for a compulsory acquisition of the land in this regard, President Masisi explained that his wish was for the matter to be resolved amicably.

He expressed concern that further delays on the P940 million wproject could prolong water shortage concerns as well as cost overruns.

President Masisi thus urged Batswana to be considerate and cooperative when asked to relocate for national interest.

He promised to address the affected farmers with a view to reach a lasting solution and only apply the compulsory land acquisition law as the last resort.

On other issues, President Masisi said the district hospital might be included in the National Development Plan 11 midterm review.

He said government was aware that Kanye Seventh Day Adventist Hospital which was built in 1922 was over-stretched.

Nonetheless, he encouraged the Ministry of Health and Wellness to continue assisting the mission hospital as a way of appreciation for its kind gesture to Batswana.

President Masisi further informed residents that government would assist them to de-bush their ploughing fields through the new-look Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development programme (ISPAAD).

He explained that the spirit of the programme was to capacitate Batswana to produce food for themselves. He shared that Masunga, Leshibitse, Malwelwe and Mookane have been picked to pilot the project.

The Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila, conceded that a lot of water was lost through leakages but explained that his ministry was yet to secure funding to maintain the old water infrastructure in Kanye.

Limited by resources at hand, he said, they had prioritized the north-south water project and the on-going sewerage project in Kanye.

He said government also considered connecting Kanye to Masama boreholes in the Kgatleng District to augment water supply while awaiting completion of North-South water carrier pipeline.

When reacting to President Masisi’s address former minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele, thanked the President for consulting the nation on whether or not to lift the hunting ban and liquor regulation hours, among other thjings.

On behalf of public officers, Ms Monia Mfolwe, thanked President Masisi for recognizing their contribution towards the nation’s development agenda.

She further said they were particularly happy that President Masisi was willing to lend an ear to staff welfare issues.

Member of Parliament for Kanye North, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, urged Batswana to afford President Masisi the support he needed and enable him to implement his vision for the nation. Ends