31 Mar 2015

Illegal dumping and littering are still rampant in Ngamiland District, according to the North West District Council chairperson, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa.

In his opening speech during a full council meeting, Mr Reaboka said that could be a result of infrequent and unreliable waste collection service caused by shortage of refuse collection trucks.

He said waste management remained a challenge and that applied to both operations and availability of resources. In addition, he said the two refuse tracks had of late been on and off the road due to frequent breakdowns while waste generation rates continued to increase.  

“The situation has resulted in infrequent and unreliable waste collection service which goes against our set service standards,” he said.

Mr Mbulawa noted that the council was working around the clock to procure new refuse trucks if funds become available.  He also advised people to desist from illegal dumping, littering and instead consign their waste to appropriate waste collection service providers, he added.

The chairperson pleaded with the community to contribute towards keeping the environment clean by having household refuse bin for safe and secure storage of waste.

Mr Mbulawa reminded all that there were a few waste recycling companies operating in Maun and urged both individuals and businesses to cooperate where possible as their efforts would go a long way in protecting the environment.

On education, he cited overcrowding at primary and junior schools, adding that some schools have enrolled more learners than the recommended carrying capacities.

He gave an example of Tsodilo Junior Secondary School which has an average student per class of 45 against the required 35. However, Mr Mbulawa said the situation was being mitigated by the construction of Disaneng Junior Secondary School.

He also observed that the overcrowding situation in primary schools was more prevalent as majority of the schools have classes being taught under trees. In order to alleviate these shortfalls, he said the district continues to use the Primary School Backlog Eradication Program and procurement of porta cabins.

Mr Mbulawa noted that it had now become a well-known trend that schools in the district perform unsatisfactory every year and implored his fellow councillors and every stakeholder to join hands towards improving the education performance throughout the district.

He said junior schools pass rate has declined by a staggering 5.9 per cent recording a disappointing pass rate of 21.3 per cent while primary schools shown a slight improvement of 1.2 per cent.

“Let us use last year’s results as baseline and make sure that this year the overall pass rate improves. We can only reach Vision 2016 pillar of Informed and Educated Nation through hard work,” he added.

The house was also informed about the roll out of clinical services in some schools such as Shakawe Senior Secondary and Ngami Junior Secondary schools had commenced.

Mr Mbulawa said schools have been provided with clinic services and that nurses have been posted to serve students adding that they tend to do the same in other schools in future. ENDS