26 Nov 2024

Key projects outlined in the Mahalapye Development Plan 2032, initially envisioned by the late Lt Gen. Mompati Merafhe, have not been realised.

Commenting on the recent State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), Mahalapye West legislator and Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere expressed disappointment that most proposed developments remained unrealised, with the plan approaching its expiration in just eight years time.

Mr Tshere lamented that aside from a divisional police station and a hospital, virtually all listed projects have not been implemented. 

“This means that for about 20 years, Mahalapye has not been having any developments,” he stated, highlighting the stagnation in progress for the village.

The legislator further criticised the government’s allocation of only P120 million for the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) aimed at improving stormwater drainage.

He argued that this figure was insufficient given that the Mahalapye Storm Water Master Plan was estimated to require around P3 billion to be effectively executed.

He urged the government to prioritise completing the planned projects under the TNDP, including the construction of a truck stop and a new primary school in Flower Town Phase II.

“Our expectation is that the new government will be more accountable, hence, more funds towards developments,” he added.

Mr Tshere expressed hope that the upcoming implementation of NDP 12 in January might revisit the delayed projects from the Mahalapye Development Plan.

In addition, Mr Tshere emphasised the need for a vocational training center in Mahalapye to aid brigade graduates in upgrading their qualifications to National Craft Certificate (NCC) and apprenticeships, thereby enhancing their employment prospects.

He also highlighted the urgent need for improvements to internal roads that have deteriorated beyond their lifespan, as well as calls for an additional senior secondary school and a stadium.

Moving on to his ministerial responsibilities, Mr Tshere thanked President Duma Boko for the opportunity to lead the Ministry of Communications and Innovation.

He pledged to work diligently, citing his relevant qualifications and promising advancements in digital connectivity with the Ministry of Health.

He noted that expanding bandwidth and installing fiber-optic connections would be crucial in enhancing medical diagnostics and record sharing.

“Through partnerships with reputable companies like Starlink and SpaceX, we aim to install a gateway at the Botswana Innovation Hub and establish a data center for efficient information storage and transmission,” he explained.

He assured that this initiative would provide high-speed satellite internet even to the most remote locations, urging other ministries to transition their services to an online platform.

Echoing Mr Tshere’s sentiments, Serowe South MP, Mr Onalepelo Kedikilwe, called on new government ministers to distance themselves from potential shortcomings of the previous administration.

  He urged ministers to issue public statements detailing their findings within their respective ministries to foster transparency and accountability.

Mr Kedikilwe specifically emphasised the need for the Minister of Finance to clarify the country’s economic status, as well as for the Minister of Water and Human Settlement to address ongoing water shortages, which the previous government claimed were resolved.

He also raised concerns about alleged last-minute vehicle purchases by the ministry before elections, suggesting they may have been intended to bolster campaign efforts.

Moreover, Mr Kedikilwe pointed out various issues plaguing his constituency, such as drug shortages, inadequate staffing at Sekgoma Memorial Hospital, and poor living conditions for temporary teachers facing long delays in pay.

With public expectations at an all-time high, both MPs concluded that swift action and effective communication from the government are essential for restoring public confidence and delivering on promised developments. ENDS