25 Mar 2025

Okavango District Council (ODC) chairperson Mr Gaopalelwe Ronald has commended the proposed decentralisation policy.

Speaking at  the opening the district full council meeting, Mr Ronald said the implementation of the decentralsation policy, which was at draft stage would help shape the local authorities work force in the coming years.

He said the policy aimed to give more autonomy to local authorities and Dikgosi who would then be able to make decisions that directly benefited their communities.

Mr Ronald said another positive development was the transfer of primary healthcare functions from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, effective April which was the case prior to 2010 as primary healthcare was managed by the then Ministry of Local Government.

He said the transition was an opportunity to achieve universal health coverage for Botswana in an effort to address long standing healthcare challenges. 

“We are hopeful that localising health services will enhance accessibility and responsiveness to community needs”, he said.

Mr Ronald, therefore, said the District Health Management Team (DHMT) was working with relevant stakeholders to facilitate a smooth transition that would not affect service provision.

On other matters, Mr Ronald said the council was allocated P16.6 million for financial year 2024/25 under the Constituency Community Projects (CCP) programme.

He said the funds were for critical projects aimed at improving road infrastructure and electrical services across the district.

Mr Ronald said some of the projects included gravelling of internal roads in Xaixai, Qangwa, Gumare, Etsha 1, Samochima, Ghani, Sekondomboro, and Gudigwa, and paving of roads in Shakawe, Seronga, and Gumare as well as drilling and equipping of a borehole at Nxauko, maintaining streetlights at Etsha 6, and electrifying Habu Primary School and kgotla offices.

He said significant progress had been made on the said projects adding that gravelling project in Gumare also encompassed paving of the road which would be undertaken under the Ipelegeng Skills Development Component set to commence in March.

In response to the chairperson’s speech, council leader of opposition, Mr Lekonne Masoko said the new government had prioritised developments therefore they expected the council to deliver the projects stated in the chairperson’s roadmap.

Mr Masoko also said the CCP funds should be utilised accordingly to benefit the district and further said schools in the district required serious maintenance. ENDS