21 Aug 2018

Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) says plans are afoot to build Phase 1 of the 150 high density project (flats) in Palapye.

Briefing the Palapye Administration Authority (PAA) Sub Development District Committee (Sub DDC) recently, BHC marketing and branding manager, Mr Tumo Kgatlhwane said Project 99 is expected to be finished by July next year, with various houses of modern plans from two bed-roomed to three with modern interiors at Extension 7.

He said the main intension of constructing those houses was to cater for government employees, adding houses were also available for purchase.

He said there were 99 houses in total and appealed to government, through its various departments, to purchase the houses for their staff members.

Mr Kgatlhwane said Palapye Project 107 would soon start, highlighting that the prices ranged from P685 000 and would depend on the market value.

He said Project 107 would mark the end of stand-alone houses, revealing that next year, they would build flats in Palapye, Francistown and Gaborone.

He said the ongoing projects had engaged Batswana mostly, with the intension of creating employment.

The Sub DDC appreciated the briefing from BHC and urged them to always attend such meetings as it was where the sub-district developments were discussed.

Palapye Administrative Authority senior assistant council secretary, Mr Lucky Maoto expressed concern about construction of internal roads that passed through the BHC houses, saying there was need to partner with road engineers for advice.

Meanwhile,  heads of department were urged to contribute towards the development of the sub-district by attending and contributing in meetings when need arose.

The Sub DDC was also briefed about the declared drought year and community projects funds for the five constituencies (Palapye, Maunatlala/Lerala plus the three overlaps of Mmadinare, Serowe North and South).

It was revealed that Palapye had been allocated over P14 million from this financial year, being 50 per cent of the budget, while the remaining 50 per cent would be dispatched as soon as the first allocation is exhausted.

Giving a vote of thanks, the deputy district commissioner, Mr Odiseng Moruti said officers should take the meetings seriously and come up with solid ideas that would develop the sub-district.

He also urged extension officers to monitor  projects.

Mr Moruti also emphasised the need to utilise time set aside for employees’ fitness and wellness and tasked the relevant officers to ensure that, such happened as it could also help officers to be physically fit and productive. ENDS