WUC face challenges in village water supply services takeover

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Wednesday November 3, 2010 00:00

WUC communications manager, Matilda Mmipi has said that the exercise is faced with challenges that range from poor staff qualification, slow process of signing up customers and the need to upgrade the existing infrastructure in some villages. She said that most staff from the defunct Water Affairs are not qualified and this has complicated efforts of WUC to take over the services.

'There is ongoing training to upgrade some of them so that they can gain competencies to help them qualify for, and be able to perform efficiently in the jobs on offer,' she explained.

She stated that the process of signing up former Water Affairs and council customers is slower than expected. She said that there is need for customers to sign water supply agreements with the WUC. 

'It is imperative for all to sign water supply agreements with the corporation. This is a standard practice between the supplier and the customer and it will benefit both parties. We will be able to know who our customers are, where they are and even how we need to help them. These are inherited clients but by registering with us, they become our legitimate clients,' she said. 

She explained the infrastructure in several villages that the corporation is taking over from the old Water Affairs are below the standard. 'There is therefore need to upgrade infrastructure in the villages that the corporation is taking over,' she said. 

Mmipi emphasised that these challenges will lead to delays in issuing monthly bills. She stated that WUC has arrangements for those whose bills will delay to pay the arrears. So far, WUC has taken water supply services in over 156 villages. By 2014, it is expected that all the targeted 524 villages will be under WUC.