LIMPOPO – Role players and residents of 11 settlements in the Mogalakwena municipal area are excited about the Masodi Wastewater Treatment Works Project.
The signing of the sponsorship agreement for the project between Ivanplats Limited Mine and Mogalakwena Municipality was signed at the Park Hotel on January 17.
“Signing the agreement was a huge step forward for Ivanplats and the Mogalakwena Municipality after a long journey,” said Ivanplats Mine project manager Werner van der Berg.
He explained the project was started six years ago and experienced a few challenges along the way.
“The mining house has set aside over R250m for this project,” he added and said Ivanplats looks forward to work with the municipality and other stakeholders to improve the area.
Van der Berg said the signing of the agreement is only the start of the project and that the mine will now start with the next phase.
Mogalakwena Mayor Ngoako Taueatsoala said it was an important day, not only for the residents, but for the future of the working relationship between the municipality and the mine.
“It’s a day that all of us have been waiting for,” he explained and added that the municipality has identified the need to provide suitable sanitation services at the northern wastewater treatment system in 2015.
“The project is a multi-year project implemented to construct a new 10ML per day wastewater treatment plant with the capacity for expansion to 15ML per day, should the need arise.
“Mahwelereng, Mountain View, Pholapark, Sekgagapheng, Moshate and Masodi are some of the settlements that will benefit from the project.”
He added that the completion of the project is essential to the municipality as it will improve the livelihood of the communities through the provision of water and sewer reticulation networks.
“The project will improve the municipal revenue enhancement through the sale of effluent to the mines and prepaid meters which will be installed in each yard linked to the project area. Decent jobs will also be created for the operation once it is completed.”
Taueatsoala said the implementation of the project was not always smooth sailing, but he is positive that things can improve from here.
Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo added that the project will resolve current challenges as it has the capacity to substantiate employment.
“It does not help to sit in a boardroom and take nice pictures just to later receive calls on hung projects,” he said and urged the municipality and Ivanplats to not employ people who are not qualified, as this would be a step backwards from what President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed.
