Government through the ministry of Water and Human Settlement has maintained that the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) would not provide clean drinking water to areas or settlements that are not gazetted.
Lack of access to safe water supply in these areas mostly in Ngamiland remains a major concern despite water being a basic need for sustenance.
Act of Parliament 74:02, which established WUC dictates and confines the corporation as a water supply authority to areas, which had been gazetted.
Consequently, majority of households in ungazetted settlements then satisfy their domestic water requirements through abstracting untreated water from river flows and hand-dug wells. Some have since resorted to destroying water pipes passing through their settlement for use and watering their livestock.
In parliament on Monday, Member of Parliament for Okavango West had asked the Minister of Water and Human Settlement whether government intends to review the policy denying the so-called unrecognised settlements access to treated water which passes through or near their settlements to recognised villages.
In response, Assistant Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Motsamai Motsamai maintained that Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) as a water supply authority for the whole country does not cover areas or settlements that are not gazetted.
Gazettement and recognition of rural settlements is done by Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs in line with the National Settlement Policy.
He indicated that the Water Utilities Corporation already has a backlog of water infrastructure projects to supply and reticulate water to gazetted towns, villages, and settlements.
“Therefore, any increase in the scope of work will require additional financial resources, which are not available,” responded the assistant minister.
Mmolotsi stressed that it is therefore, not prudent to initiate a program which cannot be implemented because it is not lawful and not financially viable.
He noted that although the Ministry has a desire to provide clean drinking water for all Batswana, such wish occurs within the context of resource constraints and laws and policies in place.
Meanwhile, the assistant minister revealed that WUC has taken a step to permit the individuals in ungazetted settlements and farming communities to connect to nearby water pipelines for potable water which are not pumping main lines. But he indicated that the full cost of connection is borne by the customers.
“Communities in Agricultural lands near such suitable pipelines can team up and contribute towards the cost of water connection,” Mmolotsi concluded.
Government has previously rejected a motion that was tabled by Member of Parliament for Maun West, Caterpillar Hikuama that sought it to consider providing clean drinking water to rural communities in farm lands, ungazetted settlements and cattle post.
When opposing the motion, ruling MPs emphasized on the need for an area to undergo recognition and gazettement before they could be provided with potable water.
