04 Mar 2018

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says the undertaking of some development projects earmarked for Molepolole will take place during the 2018/19 financial year.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting to bid Bakwena farewell, President Khama said he was aware of projects lagging behind, but promised that the 2018/2019 financial year would bring hope to Molepolole community.

The President said he was aware of the frustration Bakwena had been going through, but expressed optimism over the fact that the development would bring light and hope into their lives.

He said government was working towards improving water problems in Molepolole, stating that the current situation was worsened by poor network system due to worn out pipes leading to constant water leakages that required intensified network rehabilitation.

He said as an interim measure, P300 million was required to connect boreholes at Malwelwe to augment water situation in the village while awaiting the long term solution.

President Khama also promised to improve the status of kgotla offices.

Furthermore, he expressed gratitude over the significant P2.6 billion raised through alcohol levy towards the country’s economy.

“At first there were dissenting voices from fellow politicians with some fearing for losing their political career, but I maintained my stance as the intention was to put Botswana before the interests of individuals,” the President said.

He said despite resistance, he continued with the five per cent increase for two consecutive years, something that did not deter people from the appalling behaviour, but stabilised alcohol consumption in Botswana.

On the issue of Molepolole Police project, President Khama briefed Bakwena about the decrease of crime resulting from police strategies put in place.

The current crime situation in Molepolole, he said, required increased manpower than construction of offices that would not bring solution to the prevailing state of affair.

He told Bakwena about plans to undertake the Molepolole dual carriage way, adding that consultation was ongoing with plot owners that would be affected.

The President however promised to engage Ministers of Transport and Communications and that of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services to arrange kgotla meetings in the next two weeks to brief Bakwena on their ministries projects planned for Molepolole.

Member of Parliament for Molepolole South, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli on behalf of Molepolole North and South constituencies had earlier raised a concern that Molepolole was lagging behind as far as development was concerned.

Dr Mmatli called for President Khama’s intervention to expedite stalled development projects earmarked for Molepolole to help improve the social status of the community.

He said despite evidence of such developments in the National Development Plans (NDPs) with some forwarded from (NDP 7), there was constant delayed implementation resulting from funds diversion to ‘none deserving’ areas.

Dr Mmatli also briefed the President about the alleged diversion of development project earmarked for the village such as delayed improved water problem, kgosi kgolo’s office sewarage system, police station, Molepolole dual carriage way planned under Economic Stimulus Programme.

Dr Mmatli Highlighted that despite plans to ensure the undertaking of the said development projects, there were some constant derailment leaving Bakwena in the lurch.

Kgosi Kgari III in his welcoming remarks, praised President Khama for taking bold decisions to improve the lives of Batswana, citing the introduction of the alcohol levy.

“I am happy that you maintained your stance and stood by your word to ensure there was behavioural change in the consumption of alcohol among Batswana,” he said.

President Khama was awarded among others, P140 000, 13 beasts, nine goats, two sheep, 30 chickens, two 50kg bags of maize, 4x10kg bags of sorghum meal, two traditional baskets, a guinea fowl, a poetry anthology, a calabash, 12 CDs presented to him by Bakwena tribesman Kgosikwena Sebele. ENDS