18 May 2018

Residents of Motlopi in the Boteti West constituency have been informed that shortage of staff has frustrated government’s efforts to maintain and upgrade some roads.

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said this when responding to some comments raised by Kgosi Baletlanyi Kenewendo of Motlopi.

Kgosi Kenewendo complained about the bad state of Motlopi/Maun road, which he said could chase away visitors if not attended to.

He noted that villagers had resorted to using Motlopi/Makalamabedi road to go to Maun.

However, Mr Tsogwane, who is also the area MP, explained that government had planned for some of the roads, but shortage of personnel such as planners and engineers to do designs and costs of the roads hampered the efforts.

He said out of all the planned roads, including the tarring of Motlopi/Makalamabedi road, government had managed to upgrade only two.

Mr Tsogwane assured residents that the road would be graveled to make it passable while waiting for the relevant ministry to consider tarring it.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Kenewendo also complained about the delay in implementing the constituency funding projects in the village.

He said the villagers proposed to construct a modern community hall and efforts had been made to secure a plot, but relevant authorities were not forthcoming to fast-track the implementation.

The community hall, he said, would be constructed on land reserved by villagers for development projects.

Kgosi Kenewendo pleaded with government not to divert the funds to other projects as the community needed the hall.

“We made efforts to invite relevant authorities to appreciate the identified plot and to our surprise we have learnt that they were designing some plans without our input.  

I believe the community should be taken on board,” he added.

On other issues, he complained about wild animals that terrorise residents in their fields, adding that it was disheartening as the Department of Wildlife and National Parks delayed to assess damages and compensate victims.

Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Oarabile Gabolatwe requested for the expansion of water reticulation and electricity connection at Phase 1, noting that residents were suffering lack of utilities.

Mr Gabolatwe said the darkness of the area posed danger to residents as elephants roamed around their homesteads to drink water from the nearby channel.

He also concurred that damage caused by wild animals at the fields had demoralised farmers in the village.

He also complained about shortage of accommodation at schools in the village and delay in paying temporary teachers.

Responding to some comments, Central District Council secretary, Mr Mozondick Moswete confirmed that there had been a delay in implementing constituency project, but stated that they had rectified the situation with the land board.

Mr Moswete assured residents that something would be done and appealed for patience.

Regarding accommodation, he said it was a country-wide problem, but promised to consider addressing the challenge in Phase three of the Economic Stimulus Programme, funds permitting.

Chief Wildlife Warden, Mr John Kepaletswe admitted that they experienced delays in compensating victims because of shortage of staff to conduct assessments. Currently, he said they still have to compensate 1 470 victims from the last financial year.
Mr Kepaletswe said the department was in negotiation with BotswanaPost to help in paying victims, adding, ‘we will consult you once an agreement is reached’. Ends