PPC HANDS OVER PHASE 1 OF MADIBENG BOREHOLE PROJECT

PPC formally handed over Phase 1 of its project to rehabilitate nine boreholes in villages close to its Beestekraal quarry, within the Madibeng Municipality in Brits. The boreholes are located in the villages of Legonyane, Fafung, Rasai, Klipvoor, Vaalbosch, Rooival & Mmasebolana, Kwarriekraal and Sephai, with the handover function taking place at the Legonyane Community Hall

Attending the formal handover were L.Zwane – Co-ordinator/ Liaison Officer, Municipal Officials, MMC’s Councillors, Executive Mayor and the community.

PPC’s Inland Business Unit Head, Bheki Mthembu explains that the project forms part of cement maker’s local economic development commitments in terms of its mining licence. The project involved putting nine existing boreholes back into working order, improving water storage infrastructure and putting security measures in place. PPC has invested R1.8 million in this first phase of the project, which impacts more than 10 000 people.

“We undertook an extensive process of consultation with local stakeholders within the municipality as well as in the various villages, and identified nine boreholes that needed attention owing to lack of maintenance or vandalism,” he says. “The residents of these villages often lack access to reliable, clean water, so solving this challenge will make a big impact on their day-to-day lives.”

As part of the project, the structures housing the pumps were strengthened with double walling, steel gates and concrete roofs. It is hoped that making access difficult will protect this vital infrastructure better.

Once the formal handover is complete, the Madibeng Municipality will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the boreholes in collaboration with its appointed borehole controllers in each village.

Mthembu says that Phase 2 will shortly commence. PPC will undertake a new consultative process with all stakeholders to ascertain which areas need additional boreholes or generators for back-up power for the pumps.

“We are committed to working with the local communities in which our facilities are situated to improve their quality of lives and open up new opportunities for them,” he concludes.