Govt promise the pipes will flow by August 2021
Government have promised long-suffering residents in the North East and Tutume sub-district that their water woes will be consigned to the past by August 2021.
With villages in the area enduring years of water shortages, often going weeks with no running water, the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services have pumped over P229 million into ending the problem.
In a two-day tour of the region last Thursday and Friday, Minister Kefentse Mzwinila conducted the official groundbreaking of water tanks to be constructed in Kalakamati, Nshakazhogwe, Tutume and Jackalas 2.
One such tank has already been built in Shashemoke and is supplying the village with water.
However, during the tour, Shashemoke Chief, Batshogile Adam complained the water does not reach some parts of the village. It was a complaint Mzwinila promised to address.
The tanks are part of the Ministry’s 17-month project to bring an end to the region’s water woes, an initiative that started back in March.
The scheme covers: Masingwaneng, Moroka, Goshwe, Masunga, Sebina, Ramokgwebana, Nshakazhogwe, Dagwi, Maitengwe, Tsamaya, Senete and Makaleng.
Speaking at the groundbreakings, Minister Mzwinilia revealed that upon completion, the project is expected to provide 110, 000 people with water.
“The current water demand for the villages is about 14, 000 cubic meters per day and is projected to reach about 18, 000 cubic meters per day by 2033,” said Mzwinilia, adding the water for the tanks will be sourced from Maitengwe Wellfield and Ntimbale Dam.
“The primary objective of upgrading remedial works for North East-Tutume Sub District water supply scheme project is to fully optimize Ntimbale Dam system to the capacity of 14, 000 cubic meters per day and to bring extraction at Maitengwe Wellfield to its recommended rate of 3, 300 cubic meters per day.”
The contractor awarded the tender for the four tanks, Sidney Balisi, of Unik Construction Engineering (PTY) Ltd promised to deliver quality work on time.
“Work on the Kalakamati to Masunga pipeline reservoirs and pump stations has already commenced,” he revealed proudly, adding that 60 citizens from different trades have been employed to help with the work.
“The numbers will increase as the work proceeds,” Balisi concluded happily.
