01 May 2019

Shoshong MP Phillip Makgalemele has refuted claims of favouritism in the awarding of the Indian business scholarships that he has been encouraging young people in his constituency to apply for.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Kalamare recently, Mr Makgalemele decried the low uptake of the scholarships, saying all he got was complaints about suspected favouritism.

He said it was disheartening to see other people elsewhere in the country leap for joy and embrace the opportunities presented to them and expressed the wish that such a positive mentality could prevail in the constituency.

He urged his audience to take seriously the opportunities presented to them, saying they should not only be hearers, but act upon the ideas put before them.

Mr Makgalemele appealed to Kalamare residents to utilise programmes such as cluster fencing to improve agricultural yields.

Regarding the P100 000 spice project, Mr Makgalemele expressed concern about the delay in starting it, saying not having a borehole should not be an excuse since they could start on a small scale and finance the drilling of a borehole with the profits.

He underscored the need to hasten operations so that Kalamare residents could enjoy the benefits of the project.

In his report, VDC chairman Mr Mogorosi Ntotang complained about delays in some council projects and long tender procedures.

Mr Ntotang said the council took long to release tenders, resulting in delays.

He cited the much anticipated junior school hostel building project as well as that of the construction of public toilets.

On other issues, the chairperson commended government for introducing ESP, saying it was a blessing as it came with employment opportunities for Kalamare residents, who have been employed through ESP projects.

Responding to concerns about project delays, principal physical planner Mr Benjamin Bogopa said several aspects impeded progress in projects.

“After awarding a tender, there are always those who are rejected who will appeal the decisions.

This will cause delays since the board has to listen to their queries first,” he said.

Mr Bogopa said shortage of staff was another hindrance to project delivery since the P40-milllion projects they inherited did not come with manpower.

He however expressed appreciation to government for having heeded their request by appointing a clerk of works.

He also mentioned that shortage of transport was another challenge and requested the council to set aside funds for purchasing a vehicle.

Kgosi Goareng Mosinyi appealed to Kalamare cattle farmers to take care of their livestock to prevent them from destroying cluster fences and other farmers’ crops.

Kgosi Mosinyi said cluster fencing was meant to cater for those who could not fence their fields so that they could improve yields to sustain their families and commercialise.

He said it was disheartening that there were still cases of cattle damaging crops despite fields having been fenced.

This, he said, worked against government’s objective of growing the agricultural sector and helping Batswana to produce food to feed the nation. ENDS