21 Dec 2017

Member of Parliament  (MP) for Bobonong, Mr Shaw Kgathi has advised development committees to look into community needs  when making plans for development projects in their villages.

Addressing different committees of the villages of Bobonong, Lepokole, Molalatau and Moletemane on December 18, Mr Shaw Kgathi said the  planning of development projects by different committees was important, and that it had to be carried out as agreed.

Mr Kgathi, who is also Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, said some projects that had to be carried out through the community  constituency development fund had not started, and he expressed worry that the funds allocated might be returned to the treasury as the fiscal year was about to end in March 31, 2018.

Mr Kgathi also warned public servants against corruption, saying it crippled the economy. He said overpricing by contractors was a concern and that it also delayed projects.

For her part, Bobirwa Sub District Council senior assistant secretary, Ms Gomolemo Moepeng told the  committees that she was hopeful that the money allocated to the constituency fund would not be returned to the treasury, saying such money could be committed up to June 2019.

Ms Moepeng noted that a lot of developments in the sub district were not carried out, especially those that were over P100 000 and required tendering.

She said projects that were ongoing in the sub council were those that were P100 000 and below. She noted that they were done through the request for quotations.

She said funds were released in August and that for projects that required tendering, all levels of tendering were to be followed to avoid audit querries and reduce contestations by contractors.

Ms Moepeng stated that tenders for such projects were closed in November 2016, and that adjudication would be carried out in  December 20. She added that thereafter they would issue a notice for the best tender and allow for a cooling period before awarding tenders in January 2018.

The secretary stated that the P10 million allocated to the constituency was a lot of money that required all steps of tendering, and that any omission might result in an audit query.

She also explained that all projects would be carried out by local contractors to promote local empowerment.

The development committees appealed to the MP to solicit support from other council wards to contribute funds for the construction of the kgotla shelter in Bobonong, the fencing of the kgotla and the paving of some roads using interlocking bricks.

In Molalatau and Moletemane they said the kgotla shelter was their priority for the 2018/2019 financial year while in Lepokole they said water reticulation in the village was their priority.

Mr Kgathi also informed residents about President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s visit to the constituency to bid them farewell, as he would be retiring from office in March 31. ENDS