The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu joined by Deputy Ministers, David

Mahlobo and Dikeledi Magadzi met with the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, led by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane to find solutions to the water crisis in the province recently. The delegation included Amathole District Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr. Khanyile Maneli, Chris Hani District Executive Mayor, Cllr. Wongama Gela and Mnquma Local Municipality Mayor, Cllr. Sithembiso Ncetezo.

Minister Mchunu said that there are efforts being done and Government is working against an extended draught covering some parts of the Eastern Cape, covering some of the most populated areas, which indicates that government needs to be faster in planning, faster in delivering and produce water It requires us to be very disciplined and very focused, all of us with the stakeholders” Minister Mchunu said.

The delegation went on an oversight visit at Tsomo Treatment Works, to assess the construction work that is currently underway for the beginning of Tsomo-Ngqamakwe Regional Bulk Water Project. The project is aimed at solving the water challenges in the areas of Ngqamakwe and Butterworth and is set to provide clean water to more than 33 000 households.

During these engagements, Premier Mabuyane raised concerns on what the province is faced with that leads to delays in delivering water to the people We met today because we all appreciate and understand that water is life, and sanitation is dignity to our people, both important services are a challenge in our province in terms of infrastructure backlog. Across the Kei almost more than 25% of our people don t have this bulk infrastructure, even those who do, water is not coming through to the taps. So we met today to look at our plans that were in place and challenges that were there, what could be some actual hinderers that could have made us not to deliver”