17 Jan 2019

Maun Administration Authority has deferred a service centre billed for Sehithwa due to financial constraints and other priorities.

This came to the fore during a kgotla meeting addressed by Ngami MP, Mr Thato Kwerepe, in Sehithwa on January 16.

Senior assistant council secretary, Ms Mogomotsi Seemule, informed the meeting that the project required about P20 million.

Therefore, it was supposed to be funded by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development through the national development plan.

Nonetheless, Ms Seemule said the North West District Council (NWDC) had promised to begin construction of the service centre by October 2018, but was postponed due to other needs in the district.

She noted that about three primary schools, which were built by investors and donated to the NWDC were prioritised because accommodation for teachers was needed for the schools to start operation.

Ms Seemule, therefore, said the service sentre was put on hold to address the schools’ challenges.

She nonetheless said the NWDC would work around the clock to ensure that the service centre was constructed in future.

Asked why the initial plan of making Sehithwa a sub-district had changed, she said lack of funds had compelled government to reconsider and provide service centres in areas such as

Sehithwa instead of establishing the sub-council quarters.                                                                             

In his remarks, Mr Kwerepe also noted that the service centre had been pending since 2008.

Mr Kwerepe said the plot would be fenced through the constituency fund while awaiting development by the council.

Earlier, Sehithwa Kgosi Boitiro Dithapo had said the sub-council failed to deliver or update residents about the cause of delay.

Kgosi Dithapo said Sehithwa residents had made efforts to secure a plot and de-bushing it in preparation for the development of the service center. ENDS