20 Jan 2020

Member of Parliament for Lobatse, Dr Thapelo Matsheka, says government will prioritise ‘transformational projects’ that have the prospect of enabling the country achieve high income status.

He explained this in two separate meetings with Lobatse councillors and ward development committee (WDC) chairpersons recently.Dr Matsheka, therefore, said government would use the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 mid-term review to evaluate transformational projects.

He pointed out that it would be done with the aim of giving such projects a priority during the national budgeting process.
Dr Matsheka, also Minister of Finance and Economic Development, said, ‘when you decide as council, think about projects that will transform this town and stimulate more economic activities. It is going to be important to take a transformational position.

We are not going to continue doing things like before, because we will not achieve high income status as promised in our Vision 2036 document if we do not look at projects in our Urban Development Plan that are transformational’. He also advised councillors, ward development committees and civil servants to work as a team in order to develop the constituency.

Dr Matsheka said working as a team would make it easier for them to deliver to the expectation of the community.

“You should work in an efficient manner to ensure that the projects you want for this town are communicated clearly,” Dr Matsheka said.

Councillors and WDC chairpersons welcomed the MP’s advice, while Woodhall councillor Mr Thebe Baile agreed that a focus on transformational projects would take Lobatse forward.

“I am happy that the minister is promising to use the bottom-up approach and include every stakeholder in formulation of development projects,” added Peleng East councillor Mr Ontiretse Mosimanewamacha. ENDS