05 Jun 2019

Member of Parliament for Francistown West Mr Ignatius Moswaane has called on Gerald Estate residents to attend Kgotla meetings where  developments are conceived.

Addressing a kgotla meeting at Moselewapula ward at Gerald Estate, he said there was no shortcut to development, except throgh consultations in the form of kgotla meetings.

He therefore implored them to embrace one of  Botswana’s system of consultation that takes place before any public developmental activity can be carried out.

He also said kgotla meetings were fora, where national issues were discussed, citing the National Development Plans (NDPs), which start at community level, then carried forward to the councils then Parliament and the Executive.

Mr Moswaane said other nations envy Botswana’s way of regular consultations before implementation of any projects and often visit to benchmark on Botswana’s endeavours to serve its citizens.

On other issues, Mr Moswaane rebuked residents for their disapproval of Department of Information Services’ officers who publicise kgotla meetings and in the process make ‘noise’  even when they pass by mourning night vigil ceremonies. 

“Those officers are on official duties and people who are attending the vigils also need to have firsthand information about the meeting in their area,” he added. 

Mr Moswaane also encouraged the Ward Development Committee to apply for an open space in their area for the construction of a  shopping mall because otherwise it would remain a state land and government could use it for other purposes.

Mr Moswaane said P120 million had been set aside for youth development projects and advised youth to submit business plan proposals. 

He urged residents to electrify their homes.

Residents complained about sewage spillage and stench in their area, which they said posed health hazard to both people and animals. 

They decried that the social and community development officer had removed some destitute persons and people with disabilities from the list of beneficiaries for monthly rations.

They also complained about shortage of drugs at Gerald Clinic, which situation forced them to go for months without prescribed medications. 

They also complained about high water bills.

In response, Mr Moswaane said the spewing drain had been inspected by the council and Water Utilities Corporation, only to find that it was blocked by sanitary pads, stones and other objects. ENDS