08 Mar 2017

Palapye sub council meeting commenced  on March 6, with councillors calling for the re-opening of the Francistown hiking stop along A1 road.
The stop was closed by Palapye Sub-council to allow for optimal utilisation of the new Palapye bus rank.

Palapye Sub-council chairperson Mr Lesedi Phuthego expressed his disappointment with the council for failing to implement a decision that was taken by the council last year.
The council had called for the re-opening of the hiking stop last year.

“We issued an order for that hiking stop to be opened, if that cannot be done we need feedback in writing,” he said.
He raised concern that there is some form of resistance on the administration side to implement some decisions.
Councillor Lesego Setlhare of Lotsane Ward added that A1 road is an international road and its maintenance falls under the mandate of the central government not the local authority.

He said therefore any maintenance or development done on the road cannot be done without the consent of the relevant authority.
Senior Assistant Council Secretary Mr Lucky Maoto said he submitted the request to the relevant authority and is still awaiting feedback on the final outcome of the matter.
Councillors also raised concern over delay to implement a motion where they asked the council to consider establishing a burrow pit.

Senior Roads Engineer for Palapye Administration Authority Mr Kagiso Bishop said consultations with the relevant authority is ongoing. He said the council needs to apply for surface rights from the land board first.

He also explained that  for them to apply for surface rights, the council needs to apply for exploration permit from the Department of Mines, adding that the council cannot be given surface rights without exploration permit.
He said the permit will give the council a go ahead to make a submission to the land board.

He said the council has no funds to engage a consultant to conduct an Environmental Impact Survey (EIA) and ENP, which are also some of the requirements to the issuance of surface rights.

Mr Phuthego requested the council administration to find out the possibilities of applying for existing burrow pits and the implications. He said it is worrisome that the council has not made any submission to the land board, adding that the issue of lack of funds does not hold water.
He requested them to experdite  the initiative. ENDS