Dinokana-A twenty-two million water reticulation project that is to alleviate water shortage and provide portable drinking water to over 23 000 households in Dinokana village outside Zeerust was launched by North West Premier Thandi Modise on Monday.

“We are bringing water to you to restore your dignity and ensure that every household has access to clean water. Water is a very important commodity, but is also a very scarce resource that must be preserved,” said Premier Modise in her keynote address that also paid tribute to the community for the role it has played in the liberation struggle.
 

“You were patient and did not advance entitlement for providing a safe route for many of our freedom fighters who passed through your village and the heroic pass revolt of the Bahurutshe women to demand services which you rightfully deserve,” highlighted Modise.

She said the first phase of the water reticulation project involves piping of 48 kilometers will also empower local communities through job creation and skills transfer.

The entire project to eradicate water shortage in Dinokana be rolled out in phases requires R140 million.

The Premier said that Setlagole and Maquassi are to also benefit from her legacy projects interventions allocated R150 million in the current budget to address water and sanitation challenges they are facing.In his remarks, Kgosi Keobusitse Israel Moiloa of the Bahurutshe Ba Ga Moiloa Boo Ramotshere Traditional Authority said that it was gratifying to see government responding to the issues he had raised during his inauguration.

He said that the project should assist resuscitate the agriculture projects which had collapsed due to lack of water and also open opportunities for mining and other development projects.

Sixty-two year-old Martha Lepele said the provision of water is a very important step which will bring much relieve to the communities because they had been relying on tanks which were not always reliable.

Voicing his appreciation, 92 year- old Jonas Molefi said he was very happy with government’s effort and commitment to deliver services to people especially those people in rural areas such as Dinokana.

In supporting the project, Mayor of Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, Councillor Afrika Thale urged communities to look after the water infrastructure and to assist monitor that there are no illegal connections.

The event attended by close to a thousand people was part of the celebration of the National Water Week aimed at raising the importance, awareness and understanding of water issues and challenges.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_