21 Aug 2020

 North East District and Tutume Sub-district water scheme project is expected to solve water situation in the area. 

Speaking at the Kalakamati booster pump station groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila, said the project was meant to improve infrastructure from Ntimbale Dam.

The Kalakamati booster pump is one of the two that would be installed within the water reticulation network from Ntimbale Dam to boost water flow to villages in the areas.

The project would encompass installation of new pipes that could carry high volumes of water, building of new pump stations and erection of new elevated tanks in 10 villages.

Mr Mzwinila said inadequate water supply had been a headache for the North East District.

He highlighted that Ntimbale Dam was pumping 7000 cubic litres of water daily, noting however that with the improvement of the infrastructure, the dam would pump 14 000 cubic litres.

He indicated that in 2017, government took a decision to acquire a P250 million loan from World Bank for the project.

The minister apologised to the communities for delay in mobilising the project, stating that a project of this magnitude needed thorough planning and consultation for it to be a success.

He said 110 000 people would benefit upon completion of the project in August 2021.

Mr Mzwinila challenged the contractor, Unik Construction Engineering, to complete the project within the agreed timeline. 

“Be on time, be on budget and your job should be of the best quality,” he stressed.

He highlighted that government and Batswana at large had high hopes on the contractor because it was selected looking at its capabilities and credentials.

The minister stated that water was a necessity especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, where people had to wash their hands regularly with clean water.

Unik Construction Engineering site agent, Mr Sydney Balisi, stated that the project commenced in March, adding that they had mobilised site works at strategic areas within the project.

He said they had employed 60 citizens in various trades, adding that more people would be employed as the project progressed.

Mr Balisi highlighted that the contractor would work harmoniously with government and communities to ensure the project was a success.

He thanked government for giving his company an opportunity to execute this project and further promised that they would deliver on time and on budget.

Tati West MP, Mr Simon Moabi, said it was a relief for North East District,to finally see this project come into realisation.

Mr Moabi said the district had in the past experienced situations where contractors were given jobs, but failed to comply

He, therefore, called on the contractor to meet all project deliverables and timelines so that Batswana’s hopes would not go up in smoke.

He urged councils and leaders within communities to keep a close eye on the project and monitor any irregularities that may arise.

Kgosi Jenamiso Tshupoeng of Kalakamati thanked government for development of the water reticulation infrastructure across all villages.

He, however, pleaded with the minister for the allocation of residential plots for the people of Kalakamati and other villages.

Kgosi Tshupoeng requested the minister to liaise with the relevant authority to grant Kalakamati rights to utilise boreholes in the village. Ends