21 Oct 2013

The Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources has blamed climatic conditions for unreliable rainfall that has led to water becoming a scarce resource.

Mr Kitso Mokaila told residents of Gojwane and Serule recently that water shortage was a national concern which had compelled the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) to ration water. The minister visited the two villages to address them about the water situation in their area.

Residents complained of severe shortage of water that had disrupted their lifestyles. The minister explained that the country had not been receiving good rains which resulted in depletion of dams and borehole water. He noted that water levels at Gaborone, Letsibogo, Bokaa and Molatedi Dams was low, adding that the Francistown management area was the only area that enjoyed sufficient supply.

However, Mr Mokaila explained that government had not neglected the situation but had availed over P100 million for emergency projects to address the situation. Among planned projects is a 60-km pipeline from Moralane to the two villages which would cost government P165 million and was expected to supply water to villages along it being Mmadinare, Damochejena, Moreomabele and Topisi.

He further noted that the tender for the project would be awarded this year with the project expected to be completed next year. Once the project is complete, residents of Serule and Gojwane will enjoy sufficient water supply. Mr Mokaila expressed concern that some people water animals with potable water, which also contributed to shortage.

WUC would not afford to supply both people and animals with potable water because construction of infrastructure and the process of purifying water was expensive, he stated.

In the meantime, he said WUC would continue to bowse water and use other alternative methods to ensure that residents get water. He urged residents to pay water bills to generate revenue for his ministry to allow it to carry out other developments. The residents commended the minister for honouring the invitation to address them. They were however concerned about high water bills. ENDS