06 Jan 2015

Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele, Assistant Minister of Education, Mr Moiseraele Goya and MP for Mmadinare Mr Kefentse Mzwinila met with Public Service employees from both Central and Local Government to discuss progress made by their departments in the implementation of government programmes and policies.

Speaking during the meeting held on Monday, January 5 Mr Maele commended officers for the feedback on issues affecting his constituency.

He said such meetings are very important as they help him appreciate issues better and also put him in a better position to provide feedback to the community during kgotla meetings.

He however raised concern over internal roads and requested that the council provide an intensive report on maintenance of internal roads the in the next meeting.

He said his constituents have a serious challenge with access roads as they have been damaged by heavy rains.

Mr Maele who is also MP for Lerala/Maunatlala also raised concern over security companies awarded contracts by the council.

He said he received many reports from employees of those companies complaining of poor staff welfare as well as lack of payments and proper uniform.

He said the council should follow up on those companies to ensure that they pay employees accordingly and provide them with uniform.

For his part Mr Goya who is also MP for Palapye said MPs are law makers whilst public employees are responsible for implementation of those laws.

Therefore, he said, it is important for the two to have a forum where they meet to share their achievements and challenges.

He shared the same sentiments as Mr Maele saying that internal roads were in a bad state.

He urged Roads department for both Local and Central government to work together to improve the state of internal roads.

He also said access roads at the ploughing fields should also be improved to allow farmers access, adding that poor access roads hamper food production yet the government invested a lot of money on ISPAAD.

MP for Mmadinare Mr Mzwinila said the meeting was very informative.

He urged wildlife officers to control elephants in Mmadinare area as they are a danger to the community.

Chairperson of Social and Community Development Committee, Mr Charles Mabjweng thanked the three MPs and councilors for attending the meeting.

He said councils need to be empowered financially in order to carry out their duties diligently, adding that this in turn empowers the community.

He said PalapyeSub-council passed a motion which called for Palapye to be declared a township and Tswapong area to have its own sub-district.

This, he said will solve a lot of problems emanating from limited budget. ENDS