05 Jan 2016

The Member of Parliament for Shoshong, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele has implored officers in the Mahalapye Sub-district to be creative in implementing government initiatives.

Briefing the officers recently, Mr Makgalemele said government initiatives were aimed at helping Batswana out of abject poverty, and that it was their duty to be informed about how to achieve that with the limited resources at their disposal.

He explained that one of the challenges faced by the government was that some departments do not utilise funds, adding that had they been creative they could use those funds to finance other projects.

He also cited poor and slow project implementation, noting that they should be productive to make the initiatives a success and to work as a team.

Mr Makgalemele, who is also Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, said the government has introduced the Economic Stimulus Programme which needs everybody on board. He appealed to them to play a role in the implementation of the programme.

He also cautioned them that they should help the government customise the programme so that people know how they could benefit from it.

Furthermore, he said Shoshong constituency was faced with many challenges which include poor internal roads, shortage and unavailability of officers for some departments and the water crisis.

He said if they work as a team, implement government initiatives and listen to advises they could overcome the challenges.

Briefing the MP, Mahalapye senior district development officer, Ms Tlhalefo Motswagole said under the construction of destitute houses in the 2015/16 financial year, Shoshong constituency was allocated nine houses for RADs settlements.

Ms Motswagole said only one house at Mokgenene remained incomplete at 85 per cent.

She said most projects were delayed by the shortage of water and that the Mahalapye Sub-district worked closely with the engaged contractors and assisted them with water bowsers.

Under the ESP, she explained that the sub district was implementing construction of two type II customary courts at Chadibe and Dibete and one customary court at Makwate.

She said the projects entail construction of kgotla offices, purchase of a vehicle and office furniture, adding that pre-tender processes were ongoing and that the project memoranda have been submitted for approval. Ends