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Progress in efforts to supply water to rural communities
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

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MEDIA RELEASE
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 25 OCTOBER 2000

PROGRESS IN EFFORTS TO SUPPLY WATER TO RURAL COMMUNITIES

Good progress had been made in the Eastern Cape to supply safe water to rural communities and to keep supplies operational and affordable.

Since 1994, 42 projects have been completed, serving 1.2 million people at a cost of R350 million. Further 108 projects are under 
construction. With the help of funding from Donors such as the European Union, R107 million will be spent in the current year and more in 
the next two years.

The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ronnie Kasrils reported this progress when he met with the Eastern Cape Premier, Rev Makhenkesi 
Stofile, October 25, 2000.

I am pleased with the progress made and with the departments continued programme, said Premier Stofile.

There are however still 2,5 million people to be served which will require an intensification of our efforts.

Minister Kasrils said reports that water supplies provided by government as part of its RDP drive had failed were unfounded.

In preparation for my visit to the Province the projects implemented by my Department have been surveyed. Out of 36 projects, 35 were 
operational; in one, the weir supplying the scheme had been washed away. Claims of failure by critics sitting in the cities are clearly off 
the mark, Minister Kasrils said.

Meetings held with Organised Local Government, Provincial Departments of Local Government and Housing had also revealed clear commitment to 
achieving the goal of ensuring a free supply of basic water to the poor.

My meetings with Local Government have been positive, Minister Kasrils said.

The have welcomed the support form my Department to help plan and operate their water services, he said.

During his visit, Minister Kasrils discussed the transfer of water schemes to local government as well as the implementation of the free 
basic water policy.

Premier Stofile announced that, in order to ensure a coordinated approach to these matters, an Integrated Management Forum had been 
established under the leadership of MEC for Local Government and Housing, Gugile Nkwinti. The forum will bring together Local, Provincial 
and National Government to give strategic direction to water services provision during the period of Local Government restructuring.

THIS IS A JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Issued by:Communications Division  Office of the Premier
 Department of Water Affairs
 Inquiries:T Balzer (043) 642 1035/082 807 3544

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