03 Apr 2014

Chobe full council has been assured that the upcoming Zambezi Integrated Agro Commercial project will not negatively affect environment as some have feared.  

In a presentation titled: Preliminary Design for the Utilization of the Water Resources of the Chobe /Zambezi River, project manager, Mr Ontlogetse Dikgomo explained that the project would draw 495 million cubic metres per annum from the Chobe/ Zambezi River.

About 150 million cubic metres of that would be allocated for domestic and industrial use in the southern part of Botswana while the remaining 345 will be used for irrigation in Pandamatenga farms.

Mr Dikgomo noted, however, that phase one of the project was going to run simultaneously with the construction of the Kazungula Bridge between the period 2014 and 2019.

“We note that there are two big projects taking place within the same locality therefore competition for land resources is apparent and there is need to work closely together,” he advised.

He explained that phase two would be implemented either in NDP 11 or NDP 12 depending on the performance of new dams such as Dikgatlhong, Thune and Lotsane dams and the economy in general. “We are talking about a P28 billion project phase excluding maintenance,” he said.  

In his address, Mr Dikgomo revealed that the pipeline that draws water from the river will be 3.5 meters diameter. This did not sit well with some councilors.

“This pipe is too thick, we are going to run out of water at that rate,” councilor for Plateau ward, Mr Elson Samunzala said. He added that though Chobe River was known as a perennial river, it could dry up anytime just like it did in the early 70s.

Councilor for Pandamatenga, Mr Jeffrey Mafa expressed worry that the project’s pipeline route might cut their village from benefiting from it as Pandamatenga remained the only village that was still using underground water.  

He also advised that water that always floods the Pandamatenga farms could be harvested in a dam and used in the village. Mr Dikgomo reassured the council that villages along the 20 kilometer radius from the pipeline will be supplied with water therefore, Pandamatenga will not miss out on this project.

Though the project will draw 495 million cubic meters, Mr Dikgomo explained that this will be done in a sustainable way ensuring that only enough water is drawn if needed.

There was also general worry that if the river level is to decrease, this might affect aquatic living organisms and wildlife that depends on the river.

However, the project manager reassured the council that environmental impact assessments had been done that indicated that this was a feasible project that would not do harm to the environment affected and its inhabitants. Ends