Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation, has urged for the construction of a 49-kilometer bulk water pipeline from Ludeke Dam to Mzamba village in Mbizana to be prioritized.
In a statement, he stated that the Department of Water and Sanitation was working to address chronic water supply and sanitation difficulties in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
Mchunu met with District Executive Mayor Vukile Mhlelembana in a private working session on Thursday.
The conference also included representatives from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the District, and the Local Municipalities.
Mchunu stated that the pipeline development should coincide with the construction of water reticulation infrastructure in Mbizana’s neighboring districts.
According to the department, the Minister chose Umgeni Water, which has a R109 million budget, to oversee the pipeline project’s implementation.
“Phase 1 of the project was done but was put on hold in 2008, but the Minister and Alfred Nzo District Municipality through the Executive Mayor have agreed to kick-start Phase 2 which will entail conducting of the feasibility study, generation of the detailed designs and finally the construction of the bulk line. These processes are expected to be concluded in a period of 18 months,” reads the statement.
Minister Mchunu stated that the Ministry, the Provincial Department of Water and Sanitation, and District officials will collaborate by forming a task technical team to oversee the pipeline project’s commencement.
Minister Mchunu also emphasized that water reticulation should bring water to community households’ taps, not just communal taps.
“Let us leave the past behind and go forward on this project. The decision that has been taken here today needs to be implemented. Umgeni Water together with the Interim Board of Amatola Water will work together for the realisation of this major task.
“The people of Mbizana have been waiting long for water since the Ludeke Dam was built”, said Minister Mchunu.