04 Aug 2024

Serowe District councillors have endorsed the District Development Plan (DDP) 9 proposals.

All projects in the plan are expected to cost more than P6 billion for the 2025/26 financial year.

Many councillors appreciated proposals in the plan though some complained of poor implementation during the special full council meeting in Serowe on Wednesday.

Councillor Nametso Senku of Paje/Mabeleapudi Ward said poor implementation of projects was a concern adding that technical services teams should identify gaps that hindered service delivery.

“These challenges have nothing to do with funding or availability of resources but rather incompetence on the part of the implementers, leading to delays and substandard projects,’’ he said.

Cllr Senku said Botswana had excellent ideas that some countries had adopted to develop their nations, but the country was lagging behind in terms of project implementation.

“The reason we are at this stage of development is because we are slow to implement,” he added.

Nominated councillor, Lesedi Phuthego said hostels in some schools in the Serowe region were congested adding that more were needed.

Also, he said hostels were in a bad state as they had no windows or doors hence putting the lives of learners in danger.

He also said the school fence was dilapidated and there was free movement of domestic animals, a situation which could negatively affect the pupils’ learning process.

Cllr Phuthego said schools needed to be fully refurbished because classrooms were not conducive for learning.

Councillor Elija Masedi of Dimajwe Ward said the Mmashoro-Dimajwe road should be given top priority as it was impossible to use, mostly during rainy season.

Councillor Atamelang Thaga of Serowe South Central Ward adviced council to distribute projects equaitably.

He said roads leading to the ploughing areas should also be taken care of.

Councillor Keneilwe Monageng, the chairperson of the Serowe District Council, thanked those who contributed to the plan.

He also thanked all the councillors for their contribution to the council saying the session was the last one before the general elections.

He also gave a pat on the back to the councillors who had lost during their political parties primary elections saying they should take solace in the fact that they did well during their term.

Meanwhile, the council’s principal economist, Ms Ethel Mosojane said villages in the Serowe District appreciated key issues in the development plan.

She said after consultations with communities in the Serowe District, the District Development Committee submitted issues of concern, came up with mitigation plans and development projects to be considered for implementation. ENDS