23 Nov 2015

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele has announced  that a piece of land in Shashe Mooke has been identified as a growth point for the second city.

Mr Maele who was addressing the city council explained that although Francistown still has land in Gerald Estate it will be exhausted and ultimately the city will grow into an identified piece of land in Shashe Mooke.

He said a piece of an unproductive land was identified in the village and will be used for residential; purposes as a growth point for Francistown.

Mr Maele said since shortage of land is a national concern his ministry will continue to repossess plots that were allocated but undeveloped within the stipulated period as a way dealing with the ever increasing land demand. He said in Francistown, a total of 130 SHHA and 64 commercial plots are eligible for repossession.

Mr Maele said as a way forward of dealing with the land shortage, his ministry will pilot the utilisation of the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) to service portions of land in Francistown, Kasane, Ramotswa and Gaborone.

He elaborated that in Francistown a piece of land which will produce 3632 plots in Gerald Estate will be serviced through the programme and 171 jobs will be created during the exercise.

Mr Maele who is also Lerala/Maunatlala MP said his ministry planned to utilise ESP to construct a link road between Aerodrome and Gerald Estate but the funds are not enough.

He said only P45 million instead of P85 million could be availed and he suggested that road be included in the National Development Plan 11.

On the issue of relocation of the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) tenants in Minestone, “Dark City”, the Minister explained that 50 houses are affected.

He explained that of the 50 households, seven have already applied for Turnkey, six were allocated SHHA plots, 20 are owing BHC rent, 16 have occupied the houses illegally while one has non-permitted developments.

He explained that BHC is willing to build alternative houses for the affected tenant but delayed by lack of land. He however, noted that there is a possibility that the tenants could not afford the rent of the anticipated houses and the council should continue to brainstorm on alternative assistance.

During question and comments, a nominated councilor, Mr Peter Ngoma requested the ministry to discontinue grouping churches with other entities under the civic society plots.

Mr Ngoma said churches should be given priority as they link the nation with its creator. Councillor Andy Boatile suggested that the council should take over the issue of Minestone and ensure the tenants benefit under the SHHA programme. Ends