Minister of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Gugile Nkwinti recently launched the Greater Giyani Water and Sanitation Advisory Council in Giyani.
In a media release issued by the Limpopo provincial office of DWS, it is explained that the council will work together with DWS to help unlock bottlenecks that hamper the provision of water to the people of Giyani and surrounding areas. The committee constitutes the Giyani Business Forum, Giyani Water Forum, traditional leaders, the Pastors Association and community youth representatives.
Speaking at the launch, Nkwinti is quoted to have said that the advisory committee will play a critical role in monitoring the implementation of a project recovery plan.
“The Construction Unit of our department has taken over the project as the contractor and already commenced with site establishment, meanwhile Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), as an implementing agent is finalising the appointment of the professional service providers which is due to be finalised by the end of February 2019. The department understands that the people of Giyani have been patiently waiting for water for far too long, and we promise to make sure that phase 1 of this project is complete, and people are able to draw water from all those boreholes that have been drilled,” Nkwinti said.
“My office together with that of the Executive Mayor of Mopani, the Greater Giyani Local Municipality, LNW and the advisory committee will hold bi-weekly meetings with the purpose of monitoring progress on the implementation of the recovery plan”, the Minister added.
According to the statement, the department, working with its implementing agent, LNW and Mopani District Municipality is seized in implementing the Giyani Water Project to ensure access to water for all. The scope of work that is to be prioritized will be the completion of 63 boreholes with major defects, completion of 43 boreholes with incomplete systems, functionalising and handing over of 42 boreholes with minor defects and the complete construction of eight pipelines.
According to the project business plan, the scope will be completed in December 2019 and the boreholes will be implemented and commissioned as the work is continuing.
“A court decision was made that National Government should intervene and draw water from Nandoni Dam to augment the water supply in Giyani. The intervention is meant to accelerate water provision in the then water stricken areas of Mopani,” the statement concludes.
Story & photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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