South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a National Water Action Plan aimed at addressing the country’s growing water challenges and improving the performance of municipalities struggling with unreliable water supply and ageing infrastructure.
The plan outlines a coordinated approach involving national, provincial and local authorities to improve water security, strengthen infrastructure maintenance, reduce water losses and expand access to clean drinking water.
President Ramaphosa said the initiative is designed to restore confidence in the country’s water sector by accelerating investment in water infrastructure, improving governance and ensuring municipalities have the technical and financial capacity to deliver reliable services.
The government will also prioritise the rehabilitation of ageing pipelines, treatment plants and reservoirs while intensifying efforts to curb water leaks, illegal connections and pollution of rivers and dams.
The Action Plan further seeks to strengthen collaboration with the private sector, development partners and communities to mobilise resources and expertise needed to modernise the country’s water systems.
Authorities believe the initiative will improve service delivery, support economic growth, safeguard public health and build resilience against the increasing impacts of climate change, including recurring droughts and extreme weather events.
The government says the National Water Action Plan marks a significant step towards securing sustainable water resources for households, businesses and industries while ensuring that safe and reliable water remains accessible to all South Africans.
Source:SABC News
Author: Joyce Owusu
