R10 billion committed for Vaal Gamagara Bulk Water Supply Scheme
The Northern Cape stands to benefit to the tune of R10 billion when phase 2 of the Vaal Gamagara Water Supply Scheme (VGWSS) is implemented, says Minister of Water and Sanitation Mr. Senzo Mchunu. The construction of the bulk water supply project is critical to both the mining sector and communities of the Northern Cape. The project involves the construction of a bulk pipeline from the Vaal River to Hotazel, including reticulation to communities located along the pipeline.
Tabling the Department of Water and Sanitation budget this week, Minister Mchunu said “R1.4 billion has already been spent on Phase 1 of the project which is 96% complete. A further R10 billion will be spent as soon as phase 2 is implemented this year.”
The project is implemented as a Public Private Collaboration between Government and Mining Houses in the Northern Cape, who are contributing almost equally in terms of finances.
Another Public Private Collaboration between the Government and the Private Sector says Minister Mchunu is between the “Department of Water and Sanitation, Vaalharts Water User Association and the Infrastructure Fund, which is aimed at refurbishing the entire canal system of the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme”.
According to Minister Mchunu, the DWS and the Water Trading Entity have been allocated a combined budget of R111.256 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for the financial years 2022/23/24/25.
Conditional infrastructure grants for municipal water services total just over R3 billion over the same Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. This includes R19 billion for the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and R14 billion for the Water Services Infrastructure Grant.
The RBIG grant will be spent on 113 different projects across the country, while the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) will be allocated to more than 200 projects across the country
Minister Mchunu sternly warned Water Service Authorities that it is an anomaly that municipal water services continue to decline while “we make these very substantial grant allocations. Mark my words”, he said, “we are going to stop this going forward through necessary interventions guaranteed to deliver water.”
For more information, contact:
Sputnik Ratau
Spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation
Cell: 082 874 2942
Amogelang Moholoeng
Cell: 082 653 1682
