03 Dec 2024

The Ministry of Water and Human Settlement has announced its initiatives for the first 100 days of the current administration.

Speaking during a press briefing recently in Gaborone, the Minister of Water and Human Settlements, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi said amongst the initiatives was the revamping and rebranding of Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) turnkey programme. 

This, he said, would incorporate commissioning the pilot revamped SHHA design by January 2025, adding that they would start some 34 Housing units in Moeng, Mabutsane, Gaborone, Maun and Pilane.

Mr Ramogapi said they would deliver some 260 housing units that were already on site in Gaborone, Matsiloje, and Maun.

He stated that they would work with the private sector and brigades to improve delivery of housing in the villages and towns, adding that they would continue with the sale of government pool houses to sitting public officers tenants. 

Mr Ramogapi said his ministry would resume conducting the water use audits for large Government institutions to address water losses and save costs, including commencement of drawing the guidelines for rainwater harvesting.

Still within the first 100 days, the minister stated that they would ensure there was continued control of invasive aquatic weeds on the international rivers (Limpopo and Okavango).

Furthermore, Mr Ramogapi said they would submit drafting instruction for Water Framework Acts and Regulations and ensure that the review of the outdated water related legislation was complete at drafting Instruction Stage.

"We will endeavour to identifying and monitoring boreholes that can be converted to production and further start the development of the Guidelines for Safe Wastewater Re-use," he said.

Mr Ramogapi said his ministry would launch Onsite Sanitation Technologies and Faecal Sludge Management Guidelines to guide in the construction of onsite facilities, particularly farms to prevent ground water pollution. 

He added that the ministry would start, review and develop water tariff structure in line with government's commitment, taking into account the development of Non Revenue Water Strategy.

Lastly, he said they would forge strategic ties with financial institutions and the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) to access green bonds as water is considered a Green product.

Mr Ramogapi said his ministry would create employment of about 5 418 jobs through construction of houses by local contractors and artisans, and water and sanitation projects. Ends