26 Jun 2024

The Seronga Sub Land Board office has not received the desired and full maintenance needed for a building of its age, a fact that the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs is aware of.

This was said by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Talitha Monnakgotla, when responding to a question at Ntlo ya Dikgosi by Kgosi Disho Ndhove of Okavango Region.

Ms Monnakgotla said maintenance works on the structure were, however, carried out in 2022 for some offices and staff houses.

“Due to the limited funding, emergency maintenance works are carried out as and when required to retain the building in the best habitable state possible,” she said.

“The last such maintenance works were done in November 2023 where a private contractor was engaged to remove bats droppings and seal any entrances into the ceiling.”

Unfortunately, Ms Monnakgotla said, the infestation reoccurred, forcing the land board to float another tender for an advanced method of dealing with bats by using light. The method was adopted after it proved effective at Nokaneng.

“It will therefore be replicated in Seronga and the exercise is expected to be completed by end of next month,” she said.

Ms Monnakgotla was responding after Kgosi Ndhove enquired if the ministry was aware that Seronga Sub Land Board offices have never been maintained since their construction in 2004, and if so, when will they be maintained.ENDS