25 Mar 2013

Shoshong MP, Mr Phillip Makgalemele has asked government to establish more sub-districts around the country to improve service provision to communities in remote areas.

Through a motion tabled in Parliament on Friday, the legislator requested government to “fast-track the setting up of sub-districts as per commitments made in the National Development Plan 10.”

Mr Makgalemele said establishing more sub-districts was a key component when NDP 10 was approved, with nineteen sub-districts committed at an estimated cost of P30 million.

“Some of the services provided at sub-district level were revenue collection, social and community development services, hawkers’ licensing, payment of water bills, sanitation, bye-law enforcement, commission of oaths and marriages,” he said.

He said establishing more sub-districts would improve spatial coverage of services and administration of districts, and reduce the long distances travelled by people in remote areas to access services from their administrative villages, and the high transport costs they incurred.

“Part of the work has already been done because some services envisaged to be provided in sub-district set up are already in place in some areas targeted to be sub-districts.  Therefore we would not be starting from scratch. I am asking for the fast-tracking so that we can achieve the ultimate goal,” Mr Makgalemele said.

He argued that expediting the establishment of more sub-districts would also help to enhance uptake of government empowerment programmes, which would assist the economic diversification drive. 

The motion was supported by Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao who stressed the importance of service provision being taken closer to where people are.

Mr Molao decried that many people from his constituency were forced to travel long distances to access government services in places like Serowe.

For his part, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele noted that two sub-districts were already established in Mogoditshane and Tsabong. Mr Siele further stated that service centres had already been established at Lentsweletau, Thamaga, and Ghanzi to take services closer to the people.

He said funds permitting, more service centres would be established in Shakawe and Nata. ENDS