04 Apr 2017

Mababe residents will benefit from the constituency funding despite being in the state land.

Ngamiland District commissioner, Mr Keolopile Leipego made this explanation in an interview after some residents expressed fear that they might  not benefit from the said funding that was recently introduced to transform the local economy because they are in a state land.

He said whether people are in tribal or state land does not deny them access to developments.

The constituency funding is expected to run parallel to the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 and Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and will not cause or interrupt any existing development programme.

The initiative, which was meant to augment NDP 11 and ESP, will focus on developments lacking in the constituencies and will be controlled by constituents.

Mr Leipego further explained that a delay to undertake a project could be experienced only if there is no land, but stated that if there is space any project earmarked for the area could be implemented.

He said currently residents had submitted their projects, which would be implemented through the constituency funding, adding that residents requested that the cooperative be maintained and connected to solar power.

However, Mababe Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Molatlhegi Matsamo revealed that residents are uncertain as whether they will benefit from the P10 million.

He said the fear followed their resolution to be allocated plots in a state land. Prior to the resolution, it was reported that the relevant ministry found it difficult to allocate residents of Mababe plots because the area is a state land.

Their resolution came after residents were given three options to choose whether to be allocated plots under state land, tribalisation of their village or relocation.

Residents had long called for recognition of the village so that they could be allocated plots and issued with certificates.

Mr Motsamo cited that last year their kgotla shelter was supposed to be upgraded, but the project was suspended pending approval of their resolution by relevant authorities.

In the just ended council meeting, Mababe councillor, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotho wanted to know the progress regarding Mbabe land issue.

The response was that the Cabinet Memorandum was prepared seeking Parliament approval and that since it has been two years, the District Development Committee (DDC) had elevated the issue to Rural Extension Coordinating Committee (RECC) and currently waiting for the response. ENDS