Security of water assets upgraded

In an attempt to enhance the safety of the city’s primary sources of bulk water, Lepelle Northern Water’s (LNW) Olifantspoort Water Treatment Scheme and the Ebenezer Dam was officially inaugurated as national key points together with the Nandoni and Flag Boshielo dams during a ceremony at Protea Landmark Hotel last Wednesday.
This follows after consumers in the city and the surrounding areas of supply have suffered from water shortages on a number of occasions during the last year, caused by interference in the operation of the water schemes by community members protesting about matters that are not relevant to the city as such.
A national key point is defined as any place or area that is so important that the loss, damage, disruption or immobilisation thereof may prejudice the strategic ability and the maintenance of law and order of the country or is necessary or expedient for the safety or in the public interest. Other facilities in the city that are already declared as national key points are the SABC and the Gateway International Airport, among others.

After a word of welcome by LNW board member Mmakgetsi Mphahlele, presentations containing sensitive information were made by the South African Police Service and the State Security Agency in the absence of the media.
MEC for Transport and Public Safety Dickson Masemola handed over certificates proclaiming the national key points to LNW Chief Executive Officer Phineas Legodi and said that it is his desire that Limpopo should be the home of choice and a place of safety for its residents. “It is government’s mandate to provide safety and security and that includes a sustainable supply of safe water,” Masemola said.
In reply, LNW Chief Executive Officer Phineas Legodi said that structural alterations are already in progress to comply with all the requirements to comply with legislation related to the management of LNW’s plants as national key points.

Story/photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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