21 Feb 2018

Parliament has been informed that school pots in primary school kitchens in Gabane/Mmankgodi constituency had been installed by a company called SAMCO.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said the total cost for the supply and installation of the pots was P1.4 million.

She, however, said the ministry was aware that all pots in the constituency were not functioning at the moment due to the halted procurement process for the supply of spares to maintain the pots due to an appeal by one of the bidders.

Ms Tshireletso said the schools were, however, using industrial gas stoves to prepare meals, and that as soon as the appeal issue was addressed maintenance of the pots would be carried out.

The MP for Gabane/Mmankgodi, Major General Pius Mokgware had wanted the minister to state the name of the supplier of school pots installed in primary school kitchens in the constituency as well as the total cost of all the pots that had been purchased.

Maj. Gen. Mokgware also wanted to know whether the minister was aware that all the pots installed in the schools were not functioning, and he wanted to know what was being done about that.

Responding to another question from the MP for Gabane/Mmankgodi, Ms Tshireletso said despite a limited budget for printers and copiers, the ministry continued to provide funds for the procurement of such to primary schools across the country including Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-district schools.

The assistant minister said for now Gabane and Mmonye primary schools have each a heavy printer/photocopier from where Gasiko and Letlole get services respectively.

Ms Tshireletso further said funds permitting, the district would in future budget for the photocopy machines for primary schools that do not have the machines.

Maj. Gen. Pius Mokgware had wanted to know when Gasiko and Letlole primary schools would be issued with a heavy printer/photocopy machine. ENDS