11 Oct 2015

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has set a three-year target for all poverty eradication projects to be completed.

He said this when addressing a kgotla meeting at Bonewamang ward in Molepolole last week.  He said government had set this target upon realisation that a lot of projects were delayed. 

President Khama, however, ascertained that  government had set aside  funds  for all these projects. He also assured beneficiaries that his office will make sure that all applicants were assisted. 

Meanwhile, Kgosi Samy Mothutsane of Bonewamang ward, pleaded with government to introduce pay slips for Headmen of Arbitration as they could not get access to financial lending institutions without them.  

This he said had impacted negatively as they could not not improve their livelihoods. Kgosi Mothutsane also requested for chairs and  roofing material to complete the kgotla shelter. 

Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Ms Mmelegi Setshogo requested for internal roads  in particular at Goo-Ntloedibe area as she said most people have built uphill which made movement difficult especially during funerals where people are forced to carry coffins from uphill downhill for burial.

She also requested that the number of Ipelegeng workers be increased as they cover a vast area.

Responding to their pleas, President Khama said  Headmen of Arbitration will soon get pay slips after all the processes were completed.  

He also assured residents that government is determined to improve the economy and create employment opportunities for all in the next coming years.  

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Slumber Tsogwane told residents that government has given some backlog projects a green light.  

Among some prioritised projects are construction of internal roads, classrooms and staff houses for teachers, hence Molepolole phase two internal roads has also been approved. He said the Kweneng District  Council could in  the meantime make do graded and paved  roads.

For their part, the residents complained that the sewerage pond at Goo-Ntloedibe poses a health hazard to both humans and animals.  

They said the bad smell emanating from it makes it impossible for them to eat.  They also said the animals that drink from the pond were valueless as they have measles.  

Therefore they appealed to government to do something about it.  Responding to their concerns, a representative from water Utilities Corporation Mr Seabe Mabua acknowledged their concerns and explained that Molepolole sewerage plant is underway.  

He said the project is at the design stage where the old designs that were made by the then Water Affairs unit were being assessed so that any recommendations made could  be used to improve the design.  

The project is expected to be completed in 2021. Nevertheless, the residents expressed happiness for the President’s visit as they believed that their pleas will be answered

The area MP Dr Tlamelo Mmatli thanked the President for his visit.  

He however expressed concern that Molepolole is behind in developments yet it is one of the bigger villages in the country.  

He said if there is no sewerage plant, there is no way that other developments such as property development could be carried out in the village. The president donated, 30 chairs for the kgotla, blankets, Bibles and constituency football kit to wrap up his visit. Ends