Masama Pipeline Key To Economic Growth – Masisi

Pini Bothoko | Tuesday October 19, 2021 06:00

President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Khato Civil chairman, Simbi Phiri during the commissioning 100km Masama-Mmamashia water pipe project PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The remarks were made by President Mokgweetsi Masisi during the commissioning of the Masama-Mmamashia 100km pipeline infrastructure on Friday at Mmamashia. Masisi said as the government looks to diversifying the economy and attract foreign direct investment into the country, the availability and access to basic utilities such as water and electricity cannot be overemphasised.

“The completion of this project is a significant step in the right direction. This is even more crucial during this time of COVID-19 in which hygiene is the primary defence against the disease and water is key in saving the lives of our people,” he said. Masisi further revealed that the pipeline that was awarded to the contractor at an amount of over P781 million did not only improve the reliability of potable water supply, but also enhanced the socio-economic status of the people living along the pipeline corridor.

He added that the completion of the pipeline is a milestone in government’s efforts to reduce water shortage across the country. Furthermore, the President said the completion will bring the country towards the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for all nations to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

He said the project was prioritised under the emergency projects following water shortages in the Greater Gaborone area, the shortage extended to the constituencies of Mochudi East, Mochudi West, Tlokweng, Moshupa-Manyana, Thamaga-Kumakwane, Ramotswa, Lobatse, Kanye, Mmathethe-Molapowabojang, Goodhope-Mabule, Mogoditshane and Mmopane-Lentsweletau. “These areas have in the past experienced a daily deficit of 49 million litres of water, resulting in water restrictions and water rationing.

Additionally, the water challenges experienced by the Gaborone Dam as well as Molatedi Dam in South Africa compounded the shortage, motivating the need to expeditiously deliver this project,” Masisi said. He further stated that the pipeline conveys a maximum of 64 million litres per day of water to the Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant, to various places within the Greater Gaborone. Furthermore, he said it will also augment water to the recently commissioned North-South Carrier Kanye connection and the water supply planned for Molepolole when the upcoming Gamononyane-Molepolole pipeline is completed.

Masisi commended Khato Civils Construction for finishing the project within budget and on time. For his part the project contractor, Simbi Phiri indicated that the project had created employment for locals consisting of 36% women and 61% youth while engineering students were also engaged to empower them with skills and experience. “Our appointment in this national project was a great achievement.

This project is the testimony that an African company can organise a technical project. The only thing that an African needs is an opportunity and the government of Botswana gave us that opportunity to showcase what we can do. We are grateful that the government gave us that opportunity and we delivered within the budget and on time,” Phiri said.