20 Aug 2024

Chobe District Council has approved proposed projects for District Development Plan (DDP)9 with the design and upgrading of Kasane-Kazungula wastewater treatment plant and sewer reticulation as a top priority.

Presenting the proposal at a special full council meeting on August 16, the council’s Chief Physical Planner, Mr Godfrey Raditlhoko, stated that due to growth of Kasane and Kazungula, a proper wastewater infrastructure was imperative to replace the already existing fragile system that was constantly experiencing blockages.

He said a sustainable environment was a necessity for Kasane being a tourism hub and the projected massive Kasane- Kazungula redevelopment plan upcoming projects. 

Mr Raditlhoko said the design and construction of Kachikau-Parakarungu road to bitumen standard was a priority, including the construction of a secondary school in the district and expansion of Ramaeba Primary School to 22 streams.

He presented a proposal for the design and construction of a 100 kilometre pipeline from Lesoma to Pandamatenga for water supply to address the dire water crisis in Pandamatenga. He said the Kasane landfill’s current location was an issue of concern. At present, the landfill is situated along the main bypass road. 

Mr Raditlhoko therefore requested for its relocation and equipping it with proper machinery and animal-proof fence.

Nominated Councillor, Paul Chabaesele said the landfill was misplaced, moreso that the new Kasane Hospital has been allocated a plot directly opposite it. 

He said whenever there was an outbreak of fire at the landfill, it pollutes the environment as people inhaled the smoke from the landfill.

Cllr Chifu Munihango of Kasane Central suggested that the district planners should not include the already funded projects on the proposal to allow new projects to be on the priority list. 

He said planners should classify and breakdown scope and budget for all projects that had been constituted under the Development Manager Model (DM) to avoid confusions between the DDP 9 proposals and the already funded DM projects.

The Chobe District Commissioner, Ms Onalenna Sechele assured the councillors that a formal invitation would be extended to the DM assigned for Chobe to unpack all the projects in Chobe and their budget. ENDS