Pretoria - Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has handed over additional water tankers to the North West province as the drought conditions continue.
The six water tankers were handed over to North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo on Thursday to distribute to the most affected areas in the province.
Four of the tankers are meant to primarily assist the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) with better delivery of water services. The other two will be kept for emergency responses, where and when needed by the province.
Minister Mokonyane said as a result of the current drought conditions prevailing across much of South Africa and the abnormally high temperatures recently, the country’s freshwater resources are currently under serious pressure.
“The province of the North West is not spared. In fact it is one of the most affected,” she said.
On Thursday, Minister Mokonyane met with Premier Mahumapelo to respond to the latest and on-going challenges of water availability in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
Besides the area being drought-stricken, there was a breakdown of relations between the district municipality and service providers on the ground.
The North West Provincial Government has resolved to take responsibility for the payment of the service providers. The department then resolved to provide additional water tankers for use in the district municipality.
At least R150 million will be used to particularly improve water and sanitation management and reinstate dysfunctional infrastructure.
The province will in the overall benefit to about R1 billion.
The municipality is currently providing water tanker services, while the Department of Water and Sanitation together with the Sedibeng Water Board is providing assistance with the repair of borehole pumps.
Minister Mokonyane said there was a need for partnerships beyond the municipalities.
She said the tankers belong to the state and will result in huge savings compared to the use of tenders at about R20 million per truck per annum.
“We are here today to hand over these water tankers as a means of moving away from the unsustainable use of the tender system for the same purpose. The cost at least R1.3 million each fully fitted with all the requirements.
“It is also important for our communities to see these investments as their own. The safekeeping and good use of all government infrastructures is important for sustainable service delivery,” said Minister Mokonyane. – SAnews.gov.za
