28 Oct 2024

The P262-million Selebi Phikwe-Serule Water Transfer Scheme has been commissioned.

Commissioning the scheme in Mmadinare on Thursday, Minister of Lands and Water Affairs Dr Kefentse Mzwinila explained that the World Bank funded project commenced July 2021 and was completed May 2023 with the aim to supply 13 million litres per day of potable water to the villages of Mmadinare, Damochujenaa, Serule, Gojwane, Topisi and Moreomabele.

Some of the villages have been receiving water through bowsing owing to low yields of boreholes and unreliable treatment plant supplying the villages.

“Water is a basic need and as a government, we have to ensure that our communities have easy access to clean water,” said Dr Mzwinila.

He explained that the contractor did what was expected of them, to deliver the project on time, budget and quality.

The project forms the first phase of water projects in the area and the second stage will entail water distribution network, Dr Mzwinila stated.

“We are not yet done, we still have more upcoming water projects. Development is a process not an event,” he said, further explaining that the third phase would include sanitation, which could not start before there was reliable water supply.

Giving an update on the project, Water Utilities Corporation chief operations officer, Mr Goitseone Tshiamiso said it was part of the programme funded by the World Bank.

He said the project created employment for the people of Mmadinare and other affected villages, adding that recruitment of skilled and unskilled labour was done at the respective dikgotla with priority given to Batswana.

Mr Tshiamiso said 17 per cent the total workforce was women while three were People With Disabilities.

Material such as aggregates, stationery and catering services were also procured locally, Mr Tshiamiso said.

Kgosi Mphoeng Mphoeng of Mmadinare thanked government for clean water supply to Mmadinare as that would improve the livelihoods and urged the community to use water wisely. ENDS