BPC, WUC receive P1.6bn to stay afloat
Mbongeni Mguni | Tuesday February 6, 2018 15:48
The BPC will receive P1.1 billion for “operating expenses” and its debt obligations for Morupule B, while WUC will receive P562 million for “operational costs and restructuring” in the 2018/19 budget.
In the current financial year, which ends on March 31, BPC was allocated P1.46 billion for operational costs, while it is not clear whether the WUC received similar support for the same period.
In the financial year ended March 31, 2017, the WUC did not receive an operating subsidy, but for the period ended March 31, 2016, the utility received P388 million.
“Adequate power supply is a critical enabler for investment, as well as for improving the standard of living of Batswana,” Matambo said.
“With regards to the development of water infrastructure, Government will continue to prioritise investment in this area given the critical role of water supply as an input for economic growth and development.”
The BPC, under its ambitious Masa 2020 turnaround programme, expects to move out of perennial losses within two years, a plan that hinges on government approving the required tariff adjustments.
The WUC, meanwhile, will benefit from the US$145.5 million (P1.5 billion) World Bank sealed last year for various water projects to benefit an estimated 637,000 people countrywide.