29 Apr 2018

Member of Parliament of Nkange constituency Mr Edwin Batshu has said some schools in the constituency are going to benefit from the third phase of Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP).

Addressing residents of Madikwe in Tutume recently, Mr Batshu said there had been an outcry against shortage of classrooms in some schools within the constituency and through backlog eradication the situation will be addressed.

He said Tutume central primary school would have a block of three classes built through the programme this financial year.

He highlighted that already there was progress on the project as a plot had been identified for the construction to take off.

Furthermore, he added that schools at Dagwi and Matobo were also going to have projects undertaken through ESP to refurbish facilities.

He also stated apart from the backlog eradication in schools, the constituency was also going to have type one kgotla offices built at Changate village, also through ESP.

Mr Batshu however, expressed disappointment at the progress of some ongoing projects such as the P280 million Tutume village infrastructure project.

He nonetheless appreciated progress on installation of streets lights and construction of bridge adding that although the rivers were flowing for most of the raining season this year there had  been a lot of  progress.

In addition, he pointed out that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) office project which was supposed to have been completed last October was still far behind schedule and they had since been allocated more funds in order to ensure that they pushed for the project to be completed.

On other projects such as the planned new 72-bed hospital and police station, he explained that construction of the hospital was expected next year.

Regarding the police station, he noted that it was planned for 2020/2021 financial year. The project would also have a component of 19 staff houses.

Meanwhile earlier on in his welcome remarks, Kgosi Royal Nkomeni decried high crime rate and drug abuse noting young people were out of control as they abused marijuana.

He said the current situation gave them the impression that the number of police officers in the area was not enough more so that they covered a wide area with many villages and settlements.

He thus appealed to their legislator that he should push for the construction of a bigger police station which would enable increasing of police officers who would help to fight crime.

In his response Mr Batshu said in order to fight crime, the community should work closely with the police coming forth with information to enhance their work.

He added that facilities could be put up but without support of communituies, such facilities would not have any meaningful impact on their lives. ENDS