26 Mar 2018

At least 330 properties, both commercial and residential will be affected by the construction of Maun Central Business District (CBD) infrastructure services project.

Out of the total, 17 plots both will be forced to relocate to pave way for the project.

The actual construction of the project, which is implemented by the ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services for the provision of infrastructure services in Maun, has been earmarked for 2019/20 financial year.

Chief physical planner, Ms Iris Sitayelo revealed this when presenting progress of the project to councillors during a meeting and explained that consultations were on going with the affected parties.

She said the scope of project expanded design was on going, noting that currently, they were at the expropriation stage, where consultations were conducted regarding relocation and compensation.

Out of the 330, she said the expansion of the project would affect 156 commercial properties while 174 residential plot holders would be affected by the infrastructure because there were some proposed roads, which would need to be widened.

Ms Sitayelo said the area earmarked for the expansion of the CBD was densely populated and well developed, adding that some of the plots would be affected partially while some would be totally destroyed.

The areas that would be affected include Mabudutsa, Sanyedi, Riverside and Matomo wards and areas where the affected people would be relocated had already been identified.

The identified places include Boseja, Botshabelo, Matshwane and Disaneng.

She pointed out that as part of the project, they would do land servicing before relocation so that those relocated could enjoy the same services they were provided with from their previous residences.

Ms Sitayelo said to date, 206 title holders had been consulted on one on one basis, adding that the figure continued to change every day as affected people come forward to be consulted.

For those whose plots are within a commercial zone, she said a commercial allocation plot has been proposed and those whose plots are within a residential zone, compensation would be proposed if affected by roads or are simply retained.

She also noted that recreational open spaces have been proposed so that they serve as gathering grounds/places for both the old and young as per detailed layout design principles.

Ms Sitayelo further said that two key project milestones yet to be implemented were cadastral surveying, which was in fact ongoing as well as expropriation assessment and evaluation.

“The latter would only be feasible after successful completion of the ongoing one on one consultations and the cadastral survey report as will be approved by the department of Surveys,” she added.

Giving the background of the project, she said the upgrading scheme was kick-started by the council in 2004 followed by approval of Mabudutsa detailed layout plans in 2012.

The council, she said, had no funds for implementing the project.

In 2014, the ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services engaged Geoflux Company as principal consultants for the design of the project. BOPA