Army tasked with saving Vaal River infrastructure
THE National Treasury has stepped to intervene in the deteriorating water infrastructure system in the Vaal River by roping in the army.
“We are dealing decisively and urgently with the water crisis in the Vaal River system. Our immediate focus is to mobilise short-term financing by reprioritising funds and increasing capacity,” Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said.
Mboweni said he has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa and Water And Sanitation Minister Gugile Nkwinti to assist with engineering and other expertise to resolve the crisis there.
“I am happy to report that approval has been granted. The generals in charge have already started working on solutions,” he said.
“We are going to see soldiers deal with the situation decisively,” Mboweni added.
The minister also said that National Treasury was also intervening in the Giyani Water Project, which he characterised as being plagued by malfeasance.
He earlier told the media briefing that the project was initially budgeted at R40 million, only to escalate to R48 billion due to a “cesspool of corruption that must be dealt with”.
The project, Mboweni said, has challenges that ranged from a complete disregard for supply chain rules to poor contract management that resulted in irregular expenditure.
“It is clear that a new delivery and financial model is required to provide water services to communities.
“A key element of the new approach will be stronger focus on project management and contract governance to ensure that projects such as the Giyani Water Project are fit for purpose and maximise value for money in the water sector.”
Mboweni added that he has asked National Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane to work with the Water and Sanitation Department to ensure appropriate action were taken against all guilty officials implicated in the Auditor General’s report.