Botswana: The councilors of Gaborone City met with the Water Utilities Cooperation (WUC) to discuss the issues of the water supply situation. They also discussed the wastewater management in Gaborone, Botswana.
Water is one of the most basic amenities and a crucial element for a good standard of living in any community. The representatives of the various communities attended the meeting to discuss the various issues that the communities are facing.
The meeting was hosted on December 21, 2023, where the attendants raised several issues, including:
- Leaking water pipes
- Damaged roads infrastructure,
- Hefty water bills,
- Mismanagement of waste.
The authorities took the initiative to address the problems by coming together. The Deputy Mayor of the city also supported the step of all the relavant stakeholders weighing in on the issue.
Gaborone Deputy Mayor Oduetse Tautona believes stakeholder engagement is vital, especially on issues concerning the community.
He stated that Gaborone has been grappling with issues surrounding water supply and waste water management, which needs to be resolved. He also asserted that City leadership needs to have answers when the public raises issues.
Meanwhile, the WUC General Manager Seabe Mabua said the corporation is in the process of introducing smart meters. According to the organization, the smart meters will address issues of high water bills.
Further, the WUC also addressed the issues of unpleasant smell in the Tsholofelo East area. To combat the situation, Mabua said they have installed odor control devices to try and address the situation.
In closing, Education and Health Committee Chairperson Honourable Councillor Phuthego Modise said stakeholder engagement is the way to improve service delivery.
Councilor Modise added that there is a need for thorough public awareness on issues of wastewater management.
He urged Councilors to advise the community to refrain from locking their gates as they make it hard for service providers to do their job.