25 Jul 2017

Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-district has been encouraged to explore new revenue streams for council as well as revising the current tariffs on services which are heavily subsidised so as to reduce over reliance on central government for projects funding.

Sub-council chairperson, Mr Ofentse Mafoko said this during a meeting discussing the current financial year budget and anticipation of sources of income for the sub-council.

He also highlighted that Gakgatla had finally been connected to the national electricity grid.  

Mr Mafoko explained that residents were in June informed on availabe payment options plan with installment, ranging from six to 18 months.

He however pointed out that those who were 60 years and above were not eligible for the installment option.

Speaking in an interview, cllr for Gakgatla-Ramaphane, Mr Duncan Ramasiagopane explained that the village Gakgatla had long been gazetted and the connection to the national electricity grid had long been awaited.

Mr Ramasiagopane was however concerned that Gakgatla could not benefit from its close proximity to electricity sources in Gaborone and Molepolole and it took long to be connected to electricity grid whilst small villages had long been electrified.

“This matter has delayed new developments and projects to take place. Had this matter been addressed a long time ago a lot could have already been done,” said Mr Ramasiagopane.

He went on further to commend the sub-district DHMT personnel initiative dubbed ‘taking services to the people’ doing health screening for non-communicable diseases including HIV/AIDS which was of great service to elderly as they hardly have the time to visit clinics. 

“It is very commendable for resources to be brought to the community. Even farmers who are located far away were able to access health facilities and get assistance and this has brought hope to the people,” said Mr Ramasiagopane. 

Speaking to the Youth Development Fund (YDF) the chairperson said that 10 appealed proposals from last year were however approved  and funded at P1.3 million this year with an employment creation of 28.

He explained further that YDF loan repayment was still a challenge as few youth serviced their loans, which then inhibited the role of the programme to function as a revolving fund to further fund other upcoming youth projects.

On a different note, the chairperson announced that the constituency community project memorandum had been approved and a technical team had been established to spearhead the smooth take-off of the project. 

Commenting, councilor for Gabane north east Mr Ofentse Mareme explained that such projects should not be carried out through  a tender as tenders usually took long to commence, but instead  local artistes and VDC’s should be engaged. 

“This is a community project, local artistes or local businesses should spearhead it and tending process should not be encouraged if we want projects to move faster and members of the community will largely benefit in the proces,” said Mr Mareme

On crime, Mr Mafoko explained that Mogoditshane policing area had experienced a lot of serious and intrusive crimes including, fatal road accidents, illegal sand mining and other corporate offences which in comparison to June 2016 had showed some decline. 

For his part, councilor for Gabane North East Mr Ofentse Mareme explained that the large number of bars and night clubs in Gabane were one of the leading sources of the high crime rates.

“Gabane has close to 32 bars and they close very late, presenting an opportunity for thieves to harassing people and breaking into their homes,” he said. ENDS