27 Aug 2019

Chobe District Council chairperson, Councillor Paul Chabaesele has informed councillors that 171 voter registration transfers had been received as at August 26.

Speaking at the on-going full council meeting, Councillor Chabaesele said a total of 87 voters transferred from other constituencies to Chobe and 84 transferred within Chobe.

He said as part of the preparations for the general election, 306 poll staff had been identified to conduct the election, saying the poll staff were strictly public officers comprising eight returning officers, 36 assistant returning officers, six presiding officers, 124 polling officers and 78 tallying officers.

Councillor Chabaesele said the training of poll staff was yet to be scheduled.

On other logistics, the council chairperson said 78 vehicles would be required during election day and government departments have pledged 52 vehicles.

“95 per cent of the pledged vehicles are in a good condition while the remaining five per cent will require minor repairs,” he said.

He said the Independent Electoral Commission in Kasane had conducted voter education outreach activities in schools and dikgotla, for the public service leadership, prospective women candidates and the youths and would continue with the process until elections.

Regarding developments in the district, Councillor Chabaesele said the Kachikau-Parakarungu Road re-gravelling and culvert installation had been awarded at close to P14 million.

He said the contract was planned to run for 15 months for the 16km section of the road as the contractor was still mobilising.

Councillor Chabaesele said while the road was in two sections the other 16km section of the road was not yet finalised by the Ministerial Tender Committee.

He however said discussions were on-going with the contractor of the other section to see how he could assist with the maintenance of the other section while awaiting its tender award.

On Constituency Community Projects, Councillor Chabaesele said they had not been doing well due to the ambiguity in their selection.

He suggested that to avoid the slow pace in the implementation of projects, in the remainder of the District Development Plan 8 period, projects should not be mobilised annually, but rather be lined up in order to allow implementing departments to develop comprehensive implementation plans in advance.

On other issues, Mr Chabaesele indicated that following the mass disconnections undertaken by Water Utilities Corporation in June, the accumulated water bill arrears of P10 million was reduced to P7.6 million. Ends