19 Jan 2016

Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy has informed residents of Central Ward that the issue of the 50 Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) houses in Minestone that had been dragging for years would soon be addressed.

Addressing a kgotla meeting on Monday January 18, Mr Billy said BHC and the city council were working together to ensure that residents were relocated and assisted through the turnkey programme.

He explained that of the 50 households that would be relocated from Minestone BHC houses, seven have already applied for turnkey, six were allocated SHHA plots, 16 have illegally occupied the houses, 20 owe BHC rentals while only one has developed illegally.

The MP implored those who have rental arrears to update their accounts in order to be considered in the anticipated development. Mr Billy said he was pleased that after so many years, the issue would be addressed and residents would be able to benefit from developments such as electricity as they could not connect electricity in the old BHC houses.

On other issues, the MP commended residents for working well with the police in the fight against crime. He informed them that according to a report that he received from the police, residents have assisted in the reduction of crime and were willing to assist police in investigating criminal activities.

The MP told the residents that the police have horses that they use to patrol, and that the community has come forward to assist in the patrols. He, however, said the police raised concern about some residents who sell drugs, especially at car washes.

Mr Billy said the police have also observed that when bars close some people sell alcohol from vehicles. He applauded Ikhutseng Primary School for its outstanding performance in last year’s Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE).

Mr Billy told residents that the Area L and Area S health posts would be converted into youth friendly facilities, adding that because of limited space, they could not be upgraded to clinics.

Ikhutseng Primary School head, Mr Christopher Ditirwa informed residents that with the help of parents, the school raised P2 500 towards the Matsha victims and that the funds would be sent to beneficiaries.

Mr Ditirwa thanked the MP’s office for assisting the school to get a business person that adopted it for two years.

For their part, residents thanked the MP for assisting them. Ms Kgomotso Kagiso thanked the MPs office for helping her in getting Omang while Ms Messiah Mpenya said through the office, she managed to get medical assistance after she was sent from one hospital to the other.

Mr Lucas Tlhakanelo suggested that since river sand was depleted in some rivers, the government should negotiate with mines to make mine dumps affordable so that they could be used to make bricks.

Mr Owen Tlhakanelo complained about the suspension of enrolment into the Department of National Internship Programme (DNIP), and said approval by the Engineering Registration Board takes long.

The MP applauded Ikhutseng Primary School for taking part in issues of national concern.

He said he was pleased that the constituency office benefits the community, and urged residents to continue utilising it despite their political affiliations.

Mr Billy said the issue of using tailings from the mines for bricks instead of river sand was a commendable one and promised that he would take it up with relevant authorities. ENDS