16 Mar 2016

Southern District Council chairperson, Mr Mephato Reatile has called on fellow councillors to be innovative and think of ways to confront challenges besieging the district and country.

Addressing a full council meeting on Monday, he said declining revenues, climate change, unemployment and poor results in educational institutions require the leadership to put on its thinking cap to reverse the tide.

“I would encourage you to up your game as we try to solve our district’s problems,” he said.

The council chairperson also reminded councillors of the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), saying it was a vehicle through which the government intends to fast track backlog eradication.

He said the construction of classrooms, staff quarters, upgrading of health facilities, rural electrification and many others were among a number of projects that would be carried out under ESP.

The programme was officially launched by President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama last month at Machaneng in the Central District.

On other issues, Mr Reatile informed councillors that the North South Carrier II connection, which would link Thamaga, Moshupa, Polokwe and Kanye was behind schedule.

He, however, said efforts were being made to ensure that the project, with an estimate cost of P704 million, was completed within schedule.

He also announced that the Kanye Wastewater Management project, worth over P707 million has taken off. He said currently the main focus was on site establishment and wastewater treatment plant as per the revised programme.

“The project has been awarded to a 100 per cent citizen owned company, thus fulfilling the local empowerment objective,” he said.

He implored councillors to encourage electorates to cooperate with project implementers during pre-construction surveys.

Mr Reatile also told councillors that the district was expecting one rapid response vehicle as well as two new fire engines.

 The three vehicles, he stated, were expected to be delivered by the end of this month. Ends