25 Aug 2015

Francistown mayor, Ms Sylvia Muzila says the construction of the long awaited junior secondary school at Gerald Estate in Francistown has resumed after stalling for some time.

Addressing a full council meeting recently, councillor Muzila explained that the construction was halted due to issues surrounding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study.

She said now that the EIA was complete, the recommenced construction was at 20 per cent although it was supposed to have been at 58 per cent according to the planned programme.

The mayor explained that the project team had been urged to do all they could to catch up so that the school could get completed and be used as planned.

She however said the construction of staff houses at the same school was 42 per cent complete.

On other issues, Ms Muzila informed councillors that the council would be given funds from the roads levy to improve the status of the city’s roads.

She said a priority list of roads had been prepared and would be passed through the relevant committees for approval.

On the Ipelegeng programme, the civic leader said 10 340 beneficiaries had benefited since April this year, and that refreshments were provided by 259 suppliers.

She further said complaints of late payments for Ipelegeng beneficiaries had been reduced because a schedule of payments was drawn and followed.

“Botswana Post has acceded to our request to increase the number of pay-points for Ipelegeng beneficiaries thus de-congesting the Central Post Office,” she added.

She noted that an additional pay-point was opened at Tatitown Post Office since June this year to cater for Botsalano, White City and Blue Town locations.

The mayor said discussions were also ongoing to open an additional pay-point at Gerald Estate, and at the Blocks to reduce distances travelled by beneficiaries to excess payments.

On poverty eradication, she said the clearing of sites that were identified for the projects was ongoing, and that upon completion beneficiaries would be allocated spaces.

The full council, which will run until Friday August 28, is expected to discuss eight motions and five questions. Ends