17 Feb 2015

Senior assistant council secretary for Palapye sub-council, Mr Koti Molefi has urged the business community to comply with regulations.

Addressing members of the business community during a meeting recently, Mr Molefi said the council was concerned that businesses in Palapye failed to win tenders from council. He said most multi-million tenders were won by business people coming from as far as Gaborone, yet there were business people in Palapye who could have benefited.

He said the business community in Palapye was not doing enough; hence he encouraged them to market their businesses not only in Palapye but beyond.“We want an informed business community,” he said. He said the council wished to see businesses in Palapye growing so that they grow the economy as well as create employment for the nation.

Also, he urged them to come up with a strong committee that could deliberate on business issues and also help explore opportunities in Palapye. Commercial unit official, Mr Keitumetse Keiphithe said different types of businesses in Palapye failed to comply citing some supermarkets which over stock and did not consider expiry dates.

He said some restaurants did not comply with health standards adding that there were no medical certificates, no change rooms and no protective clothing.

Further, he said some restaurants selling alcohol did not honour trading hours, whilst some bars had a lot of noise pollution and non-functioning toilets. Therefore, he urged the business community to know and understand the type of license they hold and the stipulated regulations.

One business owner, Mr Edwin Mbaakanyi commended council for the meeting, adding it was their wish to work with council. He said it was upon the business community to develop Palapye, adding that they should prepare themselves if they want to benefit from business opportunities in Palapye.

Another business owner, Ms Emily Molemi said low participation in tendering was due to lack of perseverance. She said the public service especially those dealing with business people should be lenient on small businesses because they were just starting up.

She accused public employees for closing their businesses due to failure to comply with regulations. ENDS