Friday, February 7, 2025

Residents petition WUC, govt. over water crisis

By Mpho Keleboge

Residents of Jackalas No 1 village in the North East District have petitioned Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) and the Government in a move aimed at compelling them to act on their water crisis.

Residents demand that the water authority act decisively and immediately to provide safely managed affordable and acceptable water to end the crisis that has reportedly been experienced in the village for over 10 years.

The community launched the petition through a movement dubbed Bring Back our Water.

According to the petition, the bring back our water Jackalas 1 is a community movement whose overreaching aim is urgently to demand for consistent supply  of good running water in homes, business premises, government offices schools and establishment  across the village.

“We propose to get over 300 signatures and officially hand over a petition to the water utilities corporation and Minister of lands management, water and sanitation services. This is an urgent matter that  affects majority of people who lived and worked or originate from Jackalas No 1.It also impacts negatively affects small businesses and any potential economic activity in the village which habours the busiest  Ramokgwebana border post,‘’ reads the petition.

The petition states that it is a sad situation as the issue of water shortage has been going on for many years and none of the responsible bodies have provided any solution to date.

“This situation poses a big health risk to our hygiene. For many households and premises, flushing toilets and washing of hands has become a luxury. We are asking for support and input as we ask for water utilities and minister responsible to intervene urgently to save the people of Jackalas No 1 from this great thirst and risks posed by this lack of water,” the petition states.

It further states that “As we all know water is a human right and basic need. It can never be too burdensome to ask the powers that be to find solutions to this crisis.”

The drafters of the petition called on Batswana to sign the petition which will be online and circulated around the village.

“Once a greater number of people have signed the petition, Jackalas Youth Exco and Village Development Committee will lead its delivery to WUC and Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services. Let us unite to bring water to our taps, for the sake of our children, the elderly, the poor and the whole community,” the petition further reads.

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