Ngqamakwe Water and Sanitation Forum meets to discuss water issues in the area
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) conducted an induction workshop for Ngqamakwe Water and Sanitation Forum on the 17 October 2017 in Ngqamakwe Hall. The aim of the workshop was to discuss water and sanitation issues that affects the communities of Ngqamakwe.
The forum consists of ordinary members of the public, representatives from civil society and civil society organisations, with the aim to ease water issues that communities are faced with on a daily basis. The establishment of this forum is to open communication lines between the members of the community and government departments especially DWS and Amathole District Municipality to attend service delivery water and sanitation issues.
The ultimate aim of establishing these forums is to close the gap between government and communities, to promote a two-way flow of information about provision of reliable water and sanitation services to the communities as well as a platform to engage on challenges and progress of the projects.
The Eastern Cape DWS has established and inducted 280 Forums in district municipalities such as Sarah Baartman, Amathole, Chris Hani, Alfred Nzo, Joe Gqabi and O. R. Tambo. The establishment of water and sanitation forums follows the call by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, for communities to establish the forums as a way of addressing grievances on the ground. The forums are largely community-driven and they empower aggrieved residents to have a say on the management of water matters.
The Ngqamakwe Water and Sanitation Forum members are requested to play a major role in promoting water and sanitation issues, in particular water conservation in their communities.
Source: Government of South Africa