11 Apr 2017

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lobatse, Advocate Sadique Kebonang has implored the Lobatse leadership to work as a team in order to serve the interests of constituents.

Updating Wood Hall residents during a kgotla meeting on April 10 about the planned developments for Lobatse, he said it was imperative for those in leadership positions to share information with constituents irrespective of political party affiliations.

He made the remarks after some rumors that other political party rivals were against the construction of the new mall in the town.

Advocate Kebonang urged residents to appreciate other people’s efforts when trying to attract activities that would bring developments in their locality in order to benefit the entire community and not specific individuals.

He admitted that for the past two years projects such as the leather park and Milk Afric have been making the wrong headlines, but assured residents that the two projects were still on the charts and would soon be operational.

He noted that P250 million has been allocated for the construction of the leather park, adding that construction was expected to start in September while P48 million has been awarded to Milk Afric to transport dairy cattle from Kimberley to Botswana.

He also informed residents about the Lobatse water master plan and that they have requested for P400 million from the World Bank to draw water from Gaborone to Lobatse.

He said most projects in the town were delayed due to water shortage.

He added that companies such as Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and the Leather Park required a lot of water.

Still on new developments, he said Lobatse has got a new public gym, and that the construction of a new mall near the bus rank was in the pipeline.

On other projects, he said the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) would soon set up offices in Lobatse that would start operations next month.

He noted that all these developments would create employment and assist residents to have a source of income.

On other issues, he informed residents that the BCL mine has been shut down due to economic reasons and not political interests.

He noted that the mine had been in existence for 42 years, and that it had reached its production lifespan to the extent that it no longer made profits. He said the decision to shut down the mine came with a lot of distress.

The Lobatse MP also informed residents that the government was in talks with investors from Dubai.

He said the other pending issue was that of the Morupule Power Station, but said the government was working around the clock to restore the situation.

In addition, he said Athlone Hospital has been awarded funds for refurbishment purposes. He also said the Lobatse/Gaborone road would be upgraded to four lanes, and that the first phase of the project would start from Gaborone to Boatle.

The Lobatse MP also donated 10 chairs to the Wood Hall Customary Court to be used during kgotla meetings.

For her part, Lobatse mayor, Ms Malebogo Kruger lauded Advocate Kebonang for his sterling performance at the ministerial and constituency levels.

She commended him for his commitment in heeding the national interest and not forgetting his constituents as he was fond of engaging in social responsibility activities.

Furthermore, Ms Kruger said the government was financially constrained.

She added that the government has devised strategies to close the gap through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), and that their town managed to refurbish some primary schools at the cost of P8 million and build a teachers village at the tune of P24 million.

Still under ESP, she said health staff houses would be constructed at the tune of P27 million.

Ms Kruger said they also benefitted from the P10 million constituency funds, promising  that they would be allocated equally amongst the 12 wards of the town.

She added that the money would be used in different projects chosen by ward members to assist them to have a source of income.

The mayor said the Lobatse regeneration plan has been presented to consultants and town planners to work out any magic that could be done to facelift Lobatse and attract investors.

In his welcome remarks, Wood Hall Customary Court president, Kgosi Modisaotsile Letsholo praised the MP for his ministerial appointment.

He implored him to seek God’s intervention in everything that he did.

Kgosi Letsholo also lauded the education department for their improved academic performance and urged parents to play a role in their children’s education. ENDS