29 Dec 2016

Residents of New Disana ward in Maun have been informed that Minister of Transport and Communication is expected to make a final decision on their compensation.
Member of Parliament for Maun East, Mr Kosta Markus told residents during a kgotla meeting that he recently met with minister, Mr Kitso Mokaila and informed him that he was still looking at the audit report with relevant authorities such as Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) to map the way forward.
Residents were in 2007 requested to move from Botshabelo to Disana to pave way for Maun Airport expansion and they had long complained about delayed compensation.
It was reported that some residents were fully compensated while some were not paid at all after complaining that the money they were given as compensation was too little and could not help them construct a simple house.
But, Mr Markus explained that since there were reports that some were paid twice, while some were not paid, the department of lands was tasked to conduct an audit and submitted a report to the minister for consideration and map the way forward.
He urged residents to be patient and wait for the minister’s response, which he hoped would be ready by 2017.
Another issue, which angered residents was the delay in allocation of plots to children who stayed with their parents at Botshabelo and failure by relevant authorities to consult them so that they could appreciate their challenges.
They complained about lack of cooperation and consultation between land board members and the community, noting that efforts to invite the officials bore no fruits.
They also told their MP that they were assured that since they were staying with their children in big plots, their children would be allocated plots because the sizes of the plots at the new location were small.
One of the residents, Ms Boikhutso Disho said their children were given some forms to fill, adding that some of them were due to be allocated plots.
She questioned the criteria used as some children had been allocated plots while some were not.
Responding to their concerns, Mr Markus explained that procedurally, the children had to apply not automatically allocated plots.
He also informed residents that he invited different government departments to his meetings, but they failed to show up, noting that “I believe they undermine my authority as no one turned up or forward apology”.
The area MP emphasised the need for cooperation between the land board and the community at large, saying land board members were expected to properly administer land as a valuable and important resource, which every citizen want to have access to.
However, Mr Markus urged people to develop their plots so that they did not end up being repossessed.
On other issues, residents complained about crime; and said the situation was exacerbated by undeveloped plots which were in the bush.
They also decried unfriendly roads which they said were dusty and impassable.
For his part, the area councillor, Mr Rizerua Kazenambo informed residents that land servicing exercise was scheduled for 2017/18 financial year and hope it would make their lives easier.
On the issue of bad condition of roads, he said the council was aware of the matter and hoped they would do something if funds permited. ENDS