Greater Gaborone yet to taste water from Dikgathong dam

Staff Writer | Monday February 23, 2015 15:12

 

In fact the Greater Gaborone will have to wait for a further five years before they could receive the first drops from the country’  largest dam.

According to a document Kitso Mokaila the Minister responsible for water resources passed to MPs last week Dikgatlhong pipeline for transmission of water along the eastern corridor is currently undergoing commissioning and trial operations. The 300km pipeline from Dikgatlhong Dam terminates at Palapye as part of the Phase 2 (NSC-2) of the North South Carrier Scheme.  However a pipeline link from Palapye to Gaborone is currently at tender stage for Engineering Professional Services. The construction for this section will not start until next year, and is expected to be completed in March 2020.

Water Utilities Corporation spokesperson Matida Mmipi confirmed to the Monitor that Dikgathong dam has not started feeding the nation as yet. She explained that even the northern parts of the country where the dam is located, are yet to start drinking its water.

Meanwhile Dukgathong is not the only major dam that is not pumping since completion. Thune Dam in Mathathanae,  with 90 million cubic litres capacity  has not been used since it was completed late 2013.  During the run up to the 2014 General Elections, the Botswana Congress Party leader Dumelang Saleshando discovered during his countrywide, Rea fenya tour, that Thune dam was not pumping, a year after it was completed. Related associated Works which includes water supply pipeline networks and Treatment Works have been delayed after  a losing contractor challenged the tendering process in Court.