Water crisis affects manufacturers
Mpho Mokwape | Friday September 4, 2015 14:50
This year manufacturers report that they are being forced to frequently stop production due to the impact of the water cuts.
According to Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA) president, Nkosi Mwaba, the manufacturing sector is the hardest hit, with different organisations at varying degrees.
“Most of our manufacturing businesses use a lot of water and without it, production becomes so slow that often some even stop production. One can only imagine how much profit is lost in such instances,” he told Mmegi yesterday.
Mwaba explained that not only would profits be low this year, as in some instances the levels of production are compromised, as manufacturers are forced to minimise the water they normally use or use supplies from sources that may be unsafe.
The BEMA president said with the sector and its members affected at different levels, those who experience severe water shortages but have to keep production going are forced to source water from boreholes or seek other alternative measures.
Some companies have been forced to purchase water just to sustain their operations. In some instances, Mwaba said, water is available, but its pressure is so low that production is again slowed down.
“We all know that minimising water use or using water from boreholes may severely compromise the level of production, but this is something we have to live with until the situation normalises,” he said.
Mwaba emphasised that the fear in the sector is rising because the water crisis seems to be far from over.
“We are at a point where we live in fear because we are sure the situation is far from over even though it keeps normalising here and there.
“We are praying that it will be addressed as it might have a severe impact not only on the manufacturing sector, but also on other industries,” he said.