admin
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE steady progress of the Presidential borehole drilling programme has helped to improve access to water in rural areas, Beitbridge West legislator, Cde Thusani Ndou, has said.
Access to the new water supplies was critical for villagers considering that natural water points and some communal boreholes were drying up while others needed repair.
Cde Ndou commended the Government for drilling more boreholes at key institutions.
He said water was critical in the area for both domestic use and watering livestock, which is one of the major economic anchors in the district.
Some of the boreholes have already been equipped with solar pumps to increase output, with the rest scheduled for solar pumps.
“As Matabeleland South we are facing critical water and food challenges for both human beings and livestock,” said Cde Ndou. “However, it is pleasing to note that in rural Beitbridge, the Government is coming up with measures to alleviate the situation.
“So far on water, the authorities have drilled and equipped more boreholes with solar pumps at Tshionzeni, Ndambe, Mutshilashokwe, Jalukange, Limpopo No 4 and Malala primary school.”
The Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, he said, was ongoing including in the Khwalu 1 suburb in Beitbridge urban Ward 5 where there are water shortages. More very critical areas were being identified to address water shortages.
On livestock drought mitigation, Cde Ndou said bales of stock feed were being distributed in some areas.
“It is encouraging that the local road authorities have also started rehabilitating and maintaining roads in our area, most of which are now in a better condition, especially those linking the town with Malibeng, Limpopo and Shashe,” said Cde Ndou.
Recently, Beitbridge Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Peter Moyo said the council would introduce piped water schemes to bring potable water closer or at central points near households and rural service centres.
He said the modernisation of boreholes would also ensure that communities venture into small horticulture projects that would improve their incomes at the household level.
“We have close to 480 community boreholes and our target is to upgrade them from the use of old pumps and power them with solar to increase accessibility of water and productivity in small horticulture projects,” said Mr Moyo.
Online Reporter