02 Feb 2021

Large scale water and sanitation projects will be executed in the next financial year.

Delivering the budget speech on Monday February 1, Finance and Economic Development minister, Dr Thapelo Matsheka said the largest share (22 per cent), of the development budget, will be allocated to water and sanitation.

“Among the major projects are; Lobatse water supply master plan, Masama-Mmamashia 100km water pipeline, connection of Tswapong villages to Mahalapye (phase 2), Moshupa sanitation and the North South Carrier 2.3, which consists of a water transfer scheme from Mmamashia to Gaborone, as well as the upgrading of the existing Gaborone water supply network.

To ensure national security of fuel supply, Dr Matsheka said construction of Ghanzi and Francistown petroleum depot at 30 million and 60 million litres capacities respectively, would be undertaken in the coming financial year.

Concerning road infrastructure development, Dr Matsheka said the completion of the Kazungula Bridge across the Zambezi and the Okavango Bridge in Mohembo were expected to boost the economy by facilitating both transit and domestic trade.

“Plans are underway for developing tourism facilities around dams such as Gaborone, Francistown and Palapye. A new dry port will be established in Kasane,” said Dr Matsheka.

In addition, Dr Matsheka said government would continue to provide infrastructure in the form of internal roads, street lighting and storm water drainage in major villages, towns and cities, with a view to creating a conducive and enabling environment for investment, as well as creating opportunities for employment, which consequently improves the standard of living.

In order to meet the national electricity demand at least cost and in an environmentally responsible manner, Dr Matsheka said government would, through the newly approved Integrated Resource Plan, implement green technology projects including the 100MW solar power plants in Selebi Phikwe and Jwaneng. 

He said the projects were currently under procurement, with the tender to be awarded to the successful bidder in the first quarter of 2021 and commercial operation scheduled for the third quarter of 2022.

He said a 12-grid-tied solar photovoltaic with a total of 35MW was expected to be completed by 2022. “Tender awards are expected for the first and second quarters of 2021 and commercial operation is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2022,” said Dr Matsheka. 

He said the proposed solar projects would be in Kasane, Molepolole, Tutume, Ghanzi, Tsabong, Maun, Serowe, Bobonong, Shakawe, Lobatse, Mamuno and Kang.

In the health sector, Dr Matsheka said efforts that were geared towards addressing current challenges included, among others, upgrading or installing more robust port health infrastructure at six points of entry of Mamuno, Martins Drift, Ramatlabama, Ramokgwebana, Kazungula, and Pioneer gate. He said the proposed development would facilitate testing, sample storage and the temporary holding of suspect cases. ENDS