08 Sep 2022

The Selebi Phikwe-Serule water transfer project that started last year July is anticipated to be completed on January 14, Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Dr Kefentse Mzwinila has said.

The project is expected to address water shortage in six villages of Mmadinare, Damochujenaa, Serule, Gojwane, Moreomabele and Topisi.

The villages are being connected to Letsibogo Dam.

Addressing residents at Serule when he visited Serule, Moreomabele and Topisi to appreciate the on-going project on Tuesday September 6, Dr Mzwinila said government had managed to secure a loan from the World Bank to fund the project, explaining that the World Bank loan would fund government’s water master plan project aimed at providing potable water in most, if not all villages in the country that had been experiencing water shortage.

He explained that part of the loan was expected to fund the water pipeline network from the recently upgraded Selebi Phikwe water treatment plant to Damochujenaa, Serule-Gojwane, Moreomabele and Topisi as well as the setting up of reservoirs and water distribution pipeline networks in the respective villages.

He said the project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic because of movement restrictions. 

In other issues, Dr Mzwinila announced that government was intending to embark on recycling water to be used in agricultural projects such as horticulture.

The minister also stated that government was planning on drawing water from Chobe/Zambezi River in order to curb shortage of water in some villages. 

Giving a vote of thanks, Member of Parliament for Serowe North, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe thanked government for bringing potable water to the area. 

Mr Mathoothe complained about challenges of pipe blasting, which he attributed to the network’s old age, saying they needed replacement. 

He added that residents had been drinking salty water for a long time.

He appreciated that the Selebi Phikwe-Serule water transfer project had created employment for the locals and appealed to village development committees to also make efforts tap into and benefit from contractors on sites. 

Most residents of both villages appreciated the government’s initiatives and promised to pay water bills regularly.

They also promised to refrain from watering livestock with water meant for human consumption. Ends