10 Sep 2024

 Projects implemented through different government programmes are intended to enhance the quality of life of Batswana.

This was said by Principal Architect at Mabutsane District Council, Mr Ofentse Moatshe at the handing over ceremony of different projects implemented in the Mabutsane District from 2019 to date recently.

He said the projects in question included those implemented through the Community Constituency Projects (CCP) initiative, Road Levy fund and various programmes among them Backlog Eradication, Ipelegeng, Destitute Housing as well as the Rural Area Development Programme (RADP).

Mr Moatshe said during the five-year period, the district delivered around 180 houses through both the RADP and the Destitute Housing programme while the Backlog Eradication programme saw villages benefit through the construction of classroom and toilet blocks as well as staff housing units.

He said maintenance was undertaken in a handful of schools in the district, saying primary schools in Mahotshwane, Khakhea, Thankane, Mabutsane, Mokhomma and Samane were among those that had benefitted.

Still on maintenance, Mr Moatshe said facilities of the Department of Tribal Administration in places such as Kokong, Khonkhwa, Keng, Itholoke, Morwamosu and Sekoma were maintained during the same period.

As for Road Levy projects, he said the district had installed solar street lights in Khonkhwa, Keng, Morwamosu and Khakhea while roads in Khakhea, Kokong, Itholoke and Kutuku had been gravelled, adding that Mabutsane had benefitted through a 2.5 kilometre worth of paved road as well as road markings on existing roads.

Mr Moatshe said road paving was done in Maokane and Morwamosu through the CCP, noting that some economic empowerment projects such as the construction of play group classrooms, day care centres were undertaken in Mahotshwane, Kutuku, Kanaku and Maokane respectively.

He said other CCP projects that were successfully implemented included borehole drilling and equipping, water reticulation and electrification of facilities, saying the district also benefitted from donor projects such as construction of classroom blocks, kitchen facilities, kgotla offices by the Jwaneng mine.

Mabutsane district Council Secretary Mr Lentswe Lesenyegile said while the projects were meant to improve service delivery and enhance the quality of life for residents, they were also intended to revive and diversify the local economy.

He said they were also intended to contribute to Botswana’s job creation efforts and in the process help reduce poverty.

Mr Lesenyegile noted that the outbreak of COVID-19 had negatively impacted the implementation of the projects, resulting in delays in some instances.

He however said it was pleasing that despite challenges encountered such as sluggish and at times poor performance by contractors, the projects had been completed.

Council Chairperson Mr Kgopolo Setammere-Ramosesane said while the journey of development was often long-winding, the projects signified government’s commitment to improve the lives of citizens.

He urged residents of the district to be grateful for the efforts that had been made through the projects and remain optimistic that more would be done in future. ENDS