Minister Mchunu sets up Water Political Steering Committee in KZN
The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr Senzo Mchunu, has established a Water Political Steering Committee in KwaZulu-Natal to tackle water challenges in the province.
The committee, chaired by the Minister and including the Premier, Deputy Ministers of the Department, and Executive Mayors among others, will be providing policy direction and ensure accountability in the water sector.
The committee will also be responsible for ensuring the alignment of resources and provide necessary oversight in resolving subtle issues during projects implementation.
"We have reached a stage where we must stop talking and start doing, there are expectations and we need to deliver on those, " said Mahlobo about the establishment of the committee.
Minister Mchunu was also presented with a plan of implementation of the uMkhomazi Water Project Phase 1, which was welcomed by local governments and Premier Zikalala on behalf province.
Some Executive Mayors worried about affordability and timeframes of the project, saying the 9-year periods set out for the project is too long and requested the project be speeded up.
The project is intended to be a water transfer scheme through which raw water will be stored in the uMkhomazi River catchment and transferred to the uMlalazi River catchment.
Making the presentation, Chief Executive of Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority, Mr Percy Sechemane, said the water requirements projections show that the Umgeni System experienced a deficit as from 2016 and therefore the augmentation of the System from the uMkhomazi Water Catchment is critical.
"The project is the most viable long-term scheme that should augment the Umgeni Water Supply System as soon as possible", added Sechemane.
The Umgeni WSS is the main water source supplying water to more than 5 million people and industries in the province including the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, uMgungundlovu District Municipality and Harry Gwala District Municipality.
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Sihle Zikalala, welcomed the establishment of the committee and appreciated the Minister returning to the province to follow up on what had been discussed in his last working session.
Zikalala said that shows that the Department is committed to change the lives of the people. "The Minister coming back shows efforts to enhance the drive to implementation on matters that impact people’s lives."
Zikalala vowed to also engage Treasury to fund the project.
For more information, contact Sputnik Ratau, Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation on 082 874 2942
