PROJECT EXPECTED TO END MAUN THIRST

Boniface Keakabetse | Monday February 17, 2014 16:54

Public relations officer in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Potso Thari told The Monitor that the two-phased project, in front of Maun General clinic, entails the construction of a water treatment plant of the capacity of  6,000 cubic metres per day

Phase two of the water project entails construction of a booster station at Shashe. The project is being undertaken by Aeezmi Joint venture.

Thari said that the treatment plant has been finished and handed over to the Water Utilities Corporation. The plant draws treated Okavango delta tributary, Thamalakane River water for consumption. However, there is still ongoing work at the booster station that Thari indicated would be completed on February 28.

She explained that the project will address water shortage on medium term as it augments existing water sources but said parts of the village outside water network coverage will continue to face shortages.

Maun has faced a serious water shortage for a number of years, which forced residents to resort to fetching untreated water from the Thamalakane River.

She said the project is behind schedule as it was initially earmarked for completion end of October last year. Thari attributed the delays to the illness of the contractors key personnel who included the telemetry and electrical specialists.

“Project progress was seriously affected. The contractor has however engaged other specialist to take up the works.” She said.

Last year workers at the project were also reportedly traumatised after digging out burial sites on the construction site.

Thari explained that the project is a short-term solution. She further explained that as a long-term solution, government will undertake the Maun Phase II water and sewerage project which encompass water supply source development, transmission, treatment, storage and distribution and sewerage.