18 Apr 2018

The P25 million construction project of 21 teachers’ houses at Disana ward in Maun is reported to be near completion. 

The project, which was implemented through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) started September last year and is expected to be completed end of this month.

The chief engineer from North West District Council, Mr Dikopo Mokopakgosi explained in an interview that the project was on track with very high chances that it could be completed before the actual completion date.

He said the project was awarded to two contractors, which are both working round the clock to finalise the remaining works, which included installation of solar geysers and some electrical works.

He said housing units were constructed to address the teachers quarters backlog eradication in the affected primary schools of Letsholathebe, Botswelelo, Tawana and Matlola, 10 of which belong to Letsholathebe, adding that because of challenge of space, a decision was taken to build the units at one place. 

He explained that the council had six primary school backlog eradication projects because most of them (schools) were built without teachers’ houses, hence their implementation through Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

A fully fledged school, he said, had to comprise 21 classrooms and 24 teachers’ houses and noted that funds permitting, it is their wish to, in future, construct fully fledged schools. 

The chief engineer revealed that the construction of two classroom blocks and an ablution block at Letsholathebe was also progressing well. 

The council has been allocated over P139 million to carry out projects under the ESP for the financial year 2016/17 to 2018/19 financial year and the funds were used mainly to carry out backlog eradication in eight primary schools in the district.

On other issues, Mr Mokopakgosi revealed that construction of permanent structures at Legotlhwane Primary School would commence this financial year. 

The project, he said would start with five classroom blocks and teachers’ accommodation.

Meanwhile, government has taken a decision to declare Legotlhwane a Tertiary IV settlement as per the National Settlement Policy. 

The settlement lies between Toteng and Sehithwa. ENDS