29 Mar 2016

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele says the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) is already bearing fruit.

Speaking at the launch of land servicing and housing development projects under ESP in Kanye , he said the numerous projects attest that ESP was a practical conveyance that changes the lives of Batswana.

Mr Maele said through ESP accelerated land servicing of industrial, commercial and residential plots was achieved as well as expediting housing developments.

Projects in Kanye entail the grading of roads to ensure accessibility, expediting developments and minimising costs for residents when building houses. They also include the construction of a water reticulation system and undertaking housing developments.

Minister Maele described prudent land management as a strategic enabler in the delivery journey to realise goals and dreams of the programme as well as ensuring ESP lives up to the expectations of Batswana.
He said over 3 400 plots in Mheelo ward in Kanye would benefit from land servicing while over 10 000 plots would benefit from land servicing through the ESP in the Southern District.

He said ESP was capable of changing the lives of many to the better, noting that 27 houses in Kanye North would be constructed under the SHHA turnkey project through ESP. He said in the Southern District, 68 SHHA turnkey houses would also be constructed through ESP.

He said 21 houses in Mheelo would be constructed under ESP, adding that the ward would benefit as it would attract other sectors into the area such as transport. He noted that 13 citizen owned companies were contracted through ESP to build SHHA turnkey houses in the Southern District.

Minister Maele said the government’s position was that ESP projects should be awarded to citizen owned companies.

He challenged local companies to complete projects within the apportioned budget and schedule and to avoid cost overruns as well as to provide quality workmanship.
He added that the programme presented an opportunity for citizen owned companies to show that their companies were capable of handling big projects. Ends