28 Nov 2021

Construction works of rural villages water project in Boteti South and Central Cluster is scheduled to commence in May 2022.

Deputy district commissioner, Mr Ewetse Selelo said recently when addressing a virtual Boteti Sub-council session in Letlhakane.

Mr Selelo stated that the project, which was on the final stage of bidding, delayed because of movement restrictions due to COVID-19.

He said the project delayed as there were various stages that needed to be approved by Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) governance structures as well as the World Bank technical teams prior to the commencement of the project stages.

The stages, he said, included the approval of design reports and tender documents for construction.

The project consultants are a joint venture between Seureca Consulting Engineers from France and Seureca East Africa Limited from Kenya.

Furthermore Mr Selelo stated that operating with a tight budget, the WUC had constructed a seven- kilometre pipeline covering part of Herero ward in Rakops this financial year.

The corporation, he noted, had promised to consider the request to expand water reticulation at Rakops at Herero ward by increasing standpipes.

Mr Selelo indicated that the WUC would, however, request the village leadership to consider funding further expansion in Rakops through Community Constituency Projects (CCP) fund.

The corporation had tried drilling a borehole for Toromoja, but hit a salt belt, he said, adding that currently WUC was weighing other options such as interconnection to sources in other villages, which also required funding.

Mr Selelo further stated that Letlhakane had since been earmarked for rehabilitation and water reticulation, which included a water treatment plant.

He, however, pointed out that the project had been put on hold for some time due to financial constraints.

He stated that WUC had engaged the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services with various proposals to improve water supply in the village.

Mr Selelo said the proposals included drilling and equipping additional boreholes in Letlhakane, drawing water from Shashe Dam and Chobe-Zambezi Water Transfer Scheme to Letlhakane.

The deputy district commissioner was responding to questions from councillors, amongst them, Councillor Goratwamang Gosalamang of Mokobaxane/Kedia, who had asked why Boteti South and Central Cluster rural villages water project delayed to start.

Councillor Matias Mbaeva had also requested WUC to consider expanding water reticulation at Herero ward in Rakops by increasing standpipes.

Councillor Mbaeva also asked WUC to consider sourcing water from Sekgophane boreholes and supply Toromoja to reduce bowsing costs.

Specially Nominated Councillor Otsile Mmatlakgomo called for the construction of a water treatment plant in Letlhakane as the village water was so saline that the  residents had resorted to buying water. BOPA