03 Dec 2014

Member of Parliament for Tonota South, Mr Thapelo Olopeng has called on the public servants in his constituency to deliver to the best of their abilities despite the limited resources.

Speaking in a meeting with Heads of Departments (HODs) on Tuesday, December 2, Mr Olopeng who is also the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture said he was aware that the public service faced many challenges of shortage of resources, but encouraged them to use to the maximum the little they have.

Mr Olopeng said in some instances, public servants use lack of resources as a scapegoat for lack of delivery and urged departments to unite and share resources, especially transport to attain objectives.

He called on those who would borrow vehicles to take good care of them in order to keep the relationship going.

Furthermore, he told the HODs that although the President indicated that the economy was recuperating, it does not necessarily mean the government would be able to address all the resource challenges. 

He implored his audience to come up with suggestions on how challenges could be better addressed.
The Tonota legislator noted that the employees’ welfare was his first priority because without good welfare, the public service could not deliver efficiently.

On the issue of community service, Mr Olopeng encouraged the government departments to assist Tonota as one team, citing that if they do, it would also be easy for him to partner with them.

He told the meeting that he had a meeting with constituency councillors in which he implored them to unite and work harmoniously with the public servants.

The MP said he also told them that they should respect the public servants and where dissatisfied with decisions taken, they should always enquire without causing any tantrums because officers are guided by policies.

Mr Olopeng told HODs that “Some of the councillors have not worked for government before and are therefore not aware of some procedures, so you should also be patient with them.”

He said during his tenure as the area MP, he would advocate for a primary hospital in Tonota and the tarring of Tonota-Mabesekwa road among other projects.

For his part, Tonota sub-Land Board secretary, Mr Nicholas Motlogelwa decried squatting in Mabesekwa, Tonota and Mokubilo villages. 

He however said a task team was appointed to look at how the problem could be addressed and the sub land board is awaiting recommendations from the task team.

Tonota sub-district development officer, Ms Lucy Shaka decried shortage of staff accommodation which has been there since 2008, adding that the waiting list stood at 42, a situation which forces officers to rent private houses.

Ms Shaka cited some the challenges faced by the district as lack of transport, adding that it operates with one vehicle that was loaned from Mahalapye sub-district.

Botswana Police superintendent Kenanao Badumetse decried shortage of transport, citing that the station’s fleet is 19 and 13 of them have spent a long time at the transport and communications unit for repairs.

Supt Badumetse also told the MP that the police station and staff houses have their roofs leaking and efforts to get assistance from the Department of Buildings and Electrical Services (DBES) borne no fruit.

On the issue of crime, he said between January and November this year, 35 cases were recorded compared to 36 the same period last year, while murder cases reduced from five to three for the same period.

The principal economic planner, Ms Kelebogile Garogwe decried the shortage of facilities in primary schools leading to some students taught outside.

She noted that there are 10 514 students in the sub-district and 10 foreign students, noting that the latter was paying fees very well but there are some problems with locals who fail to pay, collect reports and attend school meetings. ENDS