13 Dec 2017

The ongoing infrastructure development in South East District will boost the ease of doing business as well as spur economic growth in the area.

Among the ongoing projects is the construction of the Boatle-Gaborone road into a dual carriage road, minimal land servicing of Magope and Seuwane, electrification network expansion in Tlokweng and Ramotswa as well as the backlog eradication programme through ESP.

South East District council chairperson, Mr Phenyo Segokgo remarked during the official opening of the council session on December 11.

“This infrastructure ladies and gentlemen is expected to boost economic growth through employment creation and create an enabling environment for the ease of doing business in the district,” he said. 

He said hundreds of people had already been employed by the projects, and added that there were mega projects worth billions and millions of pula.

“These indicate that we have benefited significantly from the national cake,” said Mr Segokgo, who is also councillor for Sefhoke ward in Tlokweng.

Furthermore, he said the construction of the dual Baotle-Gaborone road, which was arguably the largest project in the district was at 16.1 per cent.

He stated that the seemingly slow progress was necessitated by the relocation of services, and added that the land services of Magope and Seuwane were almost nearing completion.

He said there was a general outcry about the situation of roads in the district when engaging the community.

He said the situation was exacerbated by heavy rains received during the beginning of the year, and added that the council would continue to make roads maintenance a priority.

He said other challenges faced by the district were lack of commitment by beneficiaries of poverty eradication programmes.

He noted that out of 247 projects funded in the district, 296 were operational while the rest were not. “Non-commitment of beneficiaries in poverty eradication projects still remains a challenge,” he said.

Mr Segokgo said the council, through the social and community development department, continued to come up with initiatives to close gaps, including holding workshops and expositions for beneficiaries.

With regard to housing, he said the district continued to provide shelter for deserving beneficiaries through the destitute housing initiative.

“Out of the 20 houses for this financial year, 15 were complete while five were yet to be completed,” he said.

He said the provision of shelter was expected to improve the well-being of the underprivileged members of society.

However, he regretted that the district faced a rise of social ills such as cases of malnutrition due to negligence and abuse of children.

“Children are either left alone to fend for themselves or they are not given proper and regular meals,” said the chairperson. ENDS