Sanitation Week campaign sees VIP toilets handed over to residents

THE residents of Batau and Ga-Manoke villages in the Sekhukhune district are geared to benefit from the Sanitation Week campaign.

This follows after the provincial department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta), in partnership with Sekhukhune District Municipality, officially handed over 4 100 entilated improved pit (VIP) toilets that will benefit more than 16 000 people in the villages. The handover took place at the Silver Fresh sports ground last Wednesday, as part of the S campaign.

The VIP toilet project, worth over R31 million, is estimated to have created employment for more than 1 800 people.

According to 2011 Census statistics on sanitation, access to flushing toilets in the province was at 21,9%, access to chemical toilets at 0,9%, and pit latrines with ventilation at 15,1%.

The 2011 Census also states that the province had spent more than R1,7 billion on infrastructure since 2004, especially on VIP units and upgrading sewage-treatment plants.

Coghsta spokesperson, Motupa Selomo, said the campaign’s activities included door-to-door visits by MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe, Sekhukhune mayor, David Magabe, and Greater Tubatse mayor, Nkosi Mahlake.

He said the aim was to ensure that people were on board as far as sanitation was concerned, and to make sure they knew what their roles were.

“The campaign makes sure that government takes sanitation and hygiene seriously,” Selomo said.

He said people had a right to dignity and government had a responsibility to ensure access to sanitation.