29 Jan 2019

The Francistown South constituency has earmarked P3 million to construct a foot bridge across the Tati River as part of its 2019/20 development projects.

 The money would be sourced from the constituency fund and the bridge would connect Somerset East and Ikageleng wards to curb drowning incidences.

Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, announced this to residents of Somerset Extension during a kgotla meeting on January 28.

The number of people who drowned in Tat River during the rainy season has increased and the MP expressed need to arrest this situation.

He also stated that the foot bridge would help reduce crime because crossing the river at a designated place was safer.

He said the river was no longer safe given the growth of reeds in areas where people used to cross.

In addition, MP Mmolotsi said P400 000 would be allocated to development of the kgotla.

He explained that as a constituency, they had decided to assess and give priority to projects that might pose a security threat and environmental hazars when not completed such as culverts, street lights and sewerage connection.

On other issues, the Francistown South legislator informed residents that government, through the integrated programme, wanted Batswana to use their fields to venture into agro-tourism as a means to diversify the economy.

“Government wants Batswana to take part in the tourism industry, hence, a decision has been taken to allow them to build accommodation facilities inside their ploughing fields and keep animals following integrated farming guidelines,” he added.

The Ward Development Committee chairperson, Ms Gladys Dima-Siska, appraised the meeting on projects that they had completed in the ward.

She highlighted that they were in the process of completing the lease for the youth office and had completed an LA 2 house, which was ready for occupation.

She decried the poor state of the kgotla, noting that people trespassed because it was not fenced.

On other issues, she explained that they still facd a challenge of residents who did not attend kgotla meetings in large numbers.

This non-attendance, she explained, led to residents missing out on government programmes.

For her part, Kgosi Tshegofatso Setumo encouraged parents to discipline their children at home before taking them to the kgotla.

She said kgotla was not a conducive environment for young children, especially pupils who should be disciplined in the family set up.

Kgosi Setumo also applauded the youth ministry for hosting a marriage seminar for young couples, noting that since it was hosted; cases involving married couples had decreased. ENDs