07 Feb 2016

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuisen says the Molepolole bus terminus must add value to the community.

Speaking during a tour of the completed bus terminus last Thursday, he said projects of such magnitude were expected to benefit people. 

Although the assistant minister acknowledged anticipated challenges such as low usage of the facility because of its location from the main road, he said the Kweneng District Council (KDC) should consult with the community on how the facility could be utilised for mutual beneficiation.

The assistant minister also said it was unfortunate that the project was delayed hence the delay in the allocation of market stalls since they could only be apportioned when the project was complete.

Nevertheless, he said he was happy that the project was finally complete. 

He expressed hope that the community would utilise the bus terminus. 

He also urged the KDC to quickly resolve all outstanding queries of people who have been negatively affected by the construction of the facility.

He also noted that it takes time for councils to compensate people after big projects were completed, a challenge that was spread countrywide, he said.

Giving a briefing of the project, the deputy council secretary- technical services, Mr Erick Puskas said the project was 100 per cent complete. 

However, he said the  KDC was working round the clock to address challenges that still exist.

He said the bus rank would be gazzetted this month, and that consultations would be made with transport operators and the community to utilise it.

He also said guidelines for the utilisation of market stalls were presented and approved by the council. 

However, he said the guidelines were later suspended because of complaints raised by some councillors. 

The matter is expected to be resolved in the next council sitting.

The council secretary for Kweneng District Council, Mr Wadza Tema said the bus terminus would be open for the public sometime in winter this year.

The terminus has a waiting area and eight offices, 13 kiosks, 48 enclosed market stalls and 12 open stalls. 

There are also 24 cooking stalls and five cottage industry stalls and a flea market area. 

 

Construction of the bus terminus commenced in January 2013 and was completed in November 2015. Ends