A MILESTONE IN LAND AND WATER PROVISION
THE MINISTRY OF LANDS AND WATER AFFAIRS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK WHERE THE PERMANENT SECRETARY DR KEKGONNE BAIPOLEDI REVEALED THAT THEY ARE PROUD AS A MINISTRY THAT TOUCHES LIVES IN TERMS OF LAND AND WATER PROVISION.
Dr Baipoledi said it was a special occasion to have the Minister updating the nation on critical national issues following the last press briefing in winter.
Minister of Lands and Water Affairs Dr Mzwinila said Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) is 90% through to establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE). He said he was given an instruction that by 2023, WUC should be a regional CoE in terms of water project delivery and is happy that so far Palapye Water Treatment Plant received an award for technological innovation. Hon Mzwinila also said WUC produces its own water treatment chemicals unique to Botswana, a level of innovation and a hallmark in the CoE, something he advised WUC to patent.
Dr Mzwinila highlighted engineering competence as another aspect of the WUC CoE adding that the ministry is currently building the biggest water treatment facility in SADC at Mmamashia, which will treat 220 million litres of water per day. Dr Mzwinila further revealed that his Ministry has completed a 92 million litre reservoir, the second biggest in SADC, describing it as a technological and engineering masterpiece for a country the size of Botswana. He further revealed that water is sourced from Dikgathong dam, a few kilometers from the Zimbabwean border in the north, all the way to Kanye and Molepolole, a rare undertaking,” he proudly revealed. According to Hon Min, 97 percent of gazetted settlements across Botswana have access to potable water.
Hon Minister said they are embarking on a smart metre programme and that following several pilot projects, WUC is ready to roll out smart metres from April 2024.
Dr Mzwinila revealed that there are various projects being implemented countrywide such as the complete and operational Water Treatment Plants in Mahalapye, Palapye, Gumare, Shakawe, completed World Bank funded projects in the North East and Selibe Phikwe-Serule areas. Other complete Projects according to Hon Minister are Gamononyane-Molepolole NSC Connection, Moshupa Sanitation Project, Lobatse-Mogojwegojwe Water Supply Scheme, Lobatse Water Supply Master Plan Package 1 and Tswapong South Cluster Project. Dr Mzwinila said the Goodhope Water Supply Scheme, Lobatse Water Supply
Master Plan Package 2, Gaborone Master Plan Project and NSC 2.2 project will be completed and commissioned next year.
The Minister further updated on ongoing projects that include Kanye Sanitation Project, Boteti Southern and Central Cluster Villages Water Supply, and Maun Water Supply and Sanitation are ongoing.
On land plot allocation, Hon Minister said they are nearing 58 000 out of a target of 100 000 residential plots. He indicated that so far 72 000 plots have been surveyed and once ready, they will be allocated to Batswana to achieve the target. Hon Minister admitted challenges in plot allocation such as surveying and conveyancing but indicated that they engaged the private sector for assistance. Dr Mzwnila said as a Ministry, they pride themselves with an 800 percent of plot allocation average of the past 20 years with the same financial resources and equipment. Mzwinila said the waiting list is exaggerated as some people in the list have plots elsewhere in the country.
Hon Minister Mzwinila further revealed that government has successfully reclaimed 45, 000 hectares of land in the North East District from Tati Company (TC) at BWP1.4B. He said Batswana finally regained their land after 153 years and government now has access to the land. According to Hon Mzwinila, government will pay a 3.5 percent deposit by December 2023 and seal the purchase of 45, 000ha of the last remaining land of Tati Company. “The land will be State land because of its national strategic importance, not managed by Tati Land Board and Batswana will be updated and consulted,” said Dr Mzwinila.