11 May 2016

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele has informed the residents of Tonota that a total of P8.7 million will be used for the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in their constituency.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the projects in Tonota on May 10, Mr Maele said P4.9 million will be used in a project that entailed the design and bush clearing of roads of a total length of 24.6 kilometres as well as the design of portable water line and reticulation of water lines of 4.6 km in length to facilitate 890 plots.

The minister said the project also includes three public water standpipes, adding that it is expected that servicing of plots will contribute to housing delivery for residents of the area.

He said still through the ESP, his ministry will develop a total of 46 Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) Turnkey units with 35 in Tonota, four in Shashe Mooke, three in Mandunyane and two each in Semotswane and Foley villages.

Mr Maele said the 46 units is expected to create 230 jobs and started on March 4 and will finish on July 3.

Mr Lekgotla Dumedisang of Leccos Plumbing Services, who is carrying out the land servicing project, said he is one of the youth contractors engaged in ESP and has since employed 18 other youths in Tonota while five came with the company.

Mr Dumedisang said the number of people employed will continue to increase as the project progresses and is confident that the project will be completed on time and within budget.

He encouraged other youth contractors to take advantage of the ESP projects and create employment for others.

Tholodi ward Councillor, Mr Motshwari Makoko applauded the government for considering Tonota for the ESP, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony is evidence that ESP is real and implementable.

He also commended the contractor that although he has been on site for a short period of time, there is a lot of progress.

Cllr Makoko implored those who will be allocated the plots to take advantage of the services and develop them to avoid repossession by the land board.

He however indicated that some plots were allocated in 2008, about four km away from the area, which will be serviced through the ESP and due to lack of water the plots are undeveloped. ENDS