Water project to transform Polokwane

The R18-billion Olifants/Ebenezer bulk water project has been touted as a crucial step in the plan to transform Polokwane into a metropolitan area.

- Alex Japho Matlala

Many in Limpopo branded the plan a pipe-dream as the city had no budget to bankroll the project.

This week, the Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) board, a state-owned water utility, said the Olifants/Ebenezer bulk water project aimed to supply water to 1.3 million people.

The agency said the project was budgeted at R18.5 billion.

Lepelle is responsible for the project, which is entrusted to it by the department of water and sanitation for the provision of bulk water projects in Limpopo.

Speaking to The Citizen, utility spokesperson Joe Makhafola said the project should create about 1200 jobs during the construction phase and a further 90 jobs on completion.