17 Aug 2016

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso has implored contractors engaged in the construction of the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) projects to ensure they complete them within time and budget.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of ESP projects in Francistown under her ministry, Ms Tshireletso also emphasised the need to deliver quality projects that would enable the council to smoothly move forward to the next phase of the ESP.

Projects are not only about putting the right infrastructure in place but also exist to create employment, diversify and grow the local economy, she said.

Ms Tshireletso said the projects that amount to a total tender of over P23 million would generate a total of 175 employment opportunities for the citizens. 

She explained that the projects included two blocks of eight teachers’ flats for Monarch and Ntshe primary schools, eight cubicle toilets at Ntshe primary, one bedroomed house and one two roomed house at Monarch primary school, one block of two classroom at Ntshe primary and another eight cubicle toilets and two classrooms at Monarch primary school.

She said the ‘projects are expected to be completed by August next year’ and after the completion they would alleviate the shortage of housing for the teaching staff of the two schools.

In her remarks, the Mayor Ms Sylvia Muzila thanked the ministry for the projects saying they were not only in line with the Vision 2036 but also in line with city’s vision, and they would help in shaping up the landscape.

MP for Francistown West, Mr Ignatius Moswaane said ‘the construction of the teachers’ houses is part of the government’s commitment to improving conditions of service for the public servants.’

A site manager, Ms Kaone Mongala thanked the government for ESP saying it would not only benefit contractors but would also benefit local suppliers as they were negatively affected by the economic downturn.

She promised that the projects would be completed on time. ENDS