The District Development champion of Ngaka Modiri Molema, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Obed Bapela and the Premier of the North West Province, Bushy Maape, today – 21 October 2021 officiated a water testing laboratory sod-turning event in Mahikeng.
Also in attendance at the event were the MECs, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Executive Mayor, and the Local Municipalities Mayors.
The Ngaka Modiri Molema District is generally described as a water-scarce region. Currently, the district uses the services of Sedibeng for Water in the Free State for testing. This important function is not yet available in the North West Province, hence the significance of today’s event.
The sod-turning marked the beginning of a process to build a first-of-its-kind water testing laboratory in the North West Province which will enable better and quick results.
The project emphasises that Water is life, and people need it to be clean and safe. The laboratory will ensure that the water in the district conforms to the highest standards required. Healthy water means, healthy and thriving communities.
The construction of the laboratory is DDM in action, as it speaks to one plan, one budget and one approach. The project was made possible through the DDM approach which ensured that all role players bring resources together.
Guided by the DDM approach, this important project is one of those that will be part of the one plan and have one budget from all stakeholders.
From the speeches delivered today, it is clear that the provincial government welcomes the laboratory as a much-needed intervention that will eventually benefit all municipalities. The leadership emphasised the importance of the facility to be built and how it will ensure high-quality water for the people.
The construction will benefit communities by bringing good quality water and job creation, from construction to the functioning of the laboratory. In addition, the laboratory will also require the necessary technical skills which will benefit youth who have the required qualifications.
The DDM is indeed unlocking potential and economic activities through projects like the water testing laboratory and it will eventually improve lives
Phase 1 of the project is projected to be completed by June 2022 and this will allow phase 2 to begin which will see further expansion of the laboratory.
The laboratory is being built within the community as it is their infrastructure and it is meant to benefit them. The leadership requested communities to care for such key infrastructure. The business sector will also benefit from the high-quality water in the district and the province.
This much-needed laboratory will surely be a game-changer and is expected to have a high impact. Projects like this one are important to improve the lives of communities, provide services, jobs, poverty, and ultimately eradicate inequality.
The Premier emphasised that the project confirms the province as a caring government that has the safety of communities at heart.
This giant step forward is a necessary intervention that has the potential to make a much-needed difference in the lives of communities as they will be guaranteed high-quality water.
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