The Minister of Water and
Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, together with his deputies, David Mahlobo and Dikeledi Magadzi are in Gqeberha at the Coega Industrial
Development Zone Conference Centre on a two-day Ministerial working session
from March 10 to 11. The formal deliberations are intended to devise a firm course of action to bring about
sustainable solutions to water-related tribulations in the province.
The sessions were kickstarted
by a meeting between the minister, Eastern Cape Water and Sanitation provincial
leadership, Amatola Water Board and South African Municipal Workers Union
(SAMWU) in the Eastern Cape to, among others, discuss grave concerns hindering
optimum functionality of the board, such as the ongoing turbulent situation
which has led to protest actions by staff, its mandate, footprint and its state
as an entity.
Subsequent to that, Minister Mchunu will be joined by the business sector in the area to ensure that they comprehend the gravity of the
difficulties faced by the province on issues of water securities and to
strengthen partnerships.
During this two-day session the minister will
also meet with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Buffalo City Metropolitan
Municipality, and Sarah Baartman District Municipality with a view to devise
tangible plans to address water challenges in their areas of activity.
Furthermore, the Water and Sanitation Minister intends
to inspect progress made at Nooitgedacht Low Level Scheme project which after
its completion is expected to supply water from the Orange River to Nelson
Mandela Bay and surrounding areas. This is a means to
augment water supply and further ensure water security.
When outlining the rationale behind the
engagements, the minister emphasised that this working session is aimed at assessing
issues related to water resource management. In addition, he pointed out that
the Department’s main mandate is simply to ensure that communities receive
adequate water supply. He further stressed that our challenges are all about
access to water services to the public: people want water and sanitation
services.
“Water is a very sensitive and emotional matter,
our thrust is to articulate extensively about water challenges and nourish and
strengthen partnerships. Let us do everything in our power to ensure that communities
get water in 2022. One of the reasons we are failing to provide adequate water
is being unable to execute our duties accordingly and with integrity. Issues of
corruption and mismanagement are very alarming,” Mchunu said.
Both Deputy Ministers Mahlobo and Magadzi shared
the same sentiments and expressed discontent about the performance of Amatola
Water Board and called for everyone to pull together in the same direction despite
challenges; this in order to achieve the utmost goal of providing uninterrupted
water to people at all times.
The shortage of water supply, particularly in
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, received considerable attention during
the engagement and Deputy Minister Mahlobo stated that this is affecting the development of the municipality in a negative
way.
This is the second Ministerial working session
spearheaded by the minister following reports of poor water quality in the
province which has added fuel to the fire, since the province is already
gripped by a drought predicament. This and other challenges have prompted
Minister Mchunu to call for these sessions.
Issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation
