31 Aug 2014

Francistown mayor, Mr James Kgalajwe says Francistown City Council has registered a company.

Addressing a recent full council meeting Councillor Kgalajwe said the name of the company is Moiplek Holdings, a name that he said from the suggested names, was the councillors’ first priority.

He noted that the company was an indication that the council had gone a step forward in its investment plans of positioning the Greater Francistown into an economic hub in Southern Africa by 2022.

He noted that after the successful registration, it was up to the council to use the company to unlock the opportunities that were revealed at the just ended investment forum.

On other issues, the mayor noted that he was delighted that though councillors started their term with a challenge of financial constraints due to the economic crisis, with little resources, the city completed most of the projects in the Urban Development Plan.

He cited that the projects amongst others included the Monarch SHHA infrastructure upgrading, Shashe Mooke Bridge, the Francistown International Airport, Francistown-Ramokgwebana road and the construction of a new primary school at Pelotelele at the cost of P1.6 billion in total.

Councillor Kgalajwe said some of the projects in the plan such as the Francistown-Tonota Road and the staff houses for prisons were still on-going. He noted that some projects such as the Francistown Stadium and the hostel for the people living with disabilities in Gerald Estate could not be completed due to some challenges.

He however, said the reconstruction of some components of the stadium was expected to be completed in June next year at a tender value of over P97 million while P3 million has been requested to complete the hostel.
Regarding poverty eradication, mayor Kgalajwe said last year the programme was allocated P7 228 955, but to date only P5 million has been spent. He explained that the slow implementation and expenditure was because beneficiaries had to be trained to gain skills, some could not be found at their original places of residence while some did not have operational spaces. He said out of the 1 589 registered beneficiaries, 800 were assessed, 66 trained, 114 funded and 106 were already operating.

The mayor urged those who were interested in benefiting from the programmes to fully commit themselves as the programmes could go a long way in improving their lives and those of their families.

On Youth Development Fund (YDF), Mr Kgalajwe said in the last five years, only 422 applications were received and 174 were funded at over P15 million. He said the 174 projects created 210 jobs and expressed disappointment that although youth complained about unemployment, they still submitted low standard proposals. He also commended the two youth who managed to fully pay back their YDF loans.

On education, Mr Kgalajwe said although there has been a national outcry of declining performance in institutions, primary and junior secondary schools in Francistown have continued to perform exceptionally well.

He said 34 485 people have registered in the three constituencies in Francistown and the figure indicates a slight increase compared to 32 913 of registered voters in the last general elections.
He called on councillors to encourage voters to secure their registration cards and ensure their identity cards are valid.
Mr Kgalajwe further implored all politicians to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the law on electoral processes in order to reduce the likelihood of complaints and petitions after the elections. ENDS