02 Sep 2014

Palapye Administration Authority (PAA) chairperson, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi wants Palapye to be declared a township.

Opening the last session of Palapye Sub-council meeting on September 1, Mr Ramogapi said Palapye prides itself with development projects such as Morupule coal mine, 600MW Morupule B power station, the country’s second university and a new police station.

Councillors who will be taking over after the general elections were urged to make this a priority in their agenda. Mr Ramogapi, who is also councillor for Mmaphula ward said the rate at which Palapye is growing calls for a different dimension in thinking, adding that declaring Palapye a township would help in luring more investors as investors more often prefer to invest in a town than its peripheries.

He said it was high time the council starts the process of approaching the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to consider declaring Palapye a township in line with section eight of the Local Government Act of 2012.

Section eight of the act reads, “The minister shall by order published in the gazette declare any place within any administrative district a township, considering mineral developments, agro-commercial or industrial developments and any other developments that may be carried out and shall define the boundaries of that township.”

Furthermore, Mr Ramogapi commended PAA councillors, council and central government employees for the job well done for the past five years.

He commended councillors for their support and cooperation during his leadership despite coming from different political spheres.

“Though we came from different political spheres we were united in pursuing a development agenda for our Palapye Administrative Authority and its community,” he said.

He said this demonstrated an essence of collective responsibility and tolerance to diverge thoughts that are indicative of democratic set up.

Regarding poverty eradication programme, Mr Ramogapi said his council was responsible for packaging four types of projects namely food catering, hair salon, fashion design and bakery.
He said of these projects, 21 were completely packaged, 85 partially packaged and 30 not yet packaged whilst 42 are operational.
Regarding coupon system, he said the smart switch contract expired in March and has been extended up to October. He said due to unavailability of smart cards for some newly registered beneficiaries are rationed through a voucher.
In addition, he said 21 early childhood care and education centres were established in PAA.
He said the main challenge facing the programme was mushrooming of centres which in most of the time exposed children to various risks.
He said the council through bye law department and home economics division is working round the clock to take legal action against illegal centres. Ends