17 Feb 2020

North West District Council has planned to implement 108 projects through the Constituency Community Project programme (CCP) for the financial year 2020/2021.

The four constituencies’ funds would cover costs of drilling of boreholes and water connections, electrification for projects, mini solar plant, construction of a pre-school, as well as paving and gravelling of roads.  

Presenting the project memorandum before a special full council meeting recently, principal economic planner, Mr Bakang Molefi stressed the need to implement projects, which could have a positive impact on the communities.

He explained that the 2036 Vision pillar associated with the CCP is ‘Sustainable Economic Development’, with reference to key result areas on employment opportunities and sustainable development.

The programme, Mr Molefi said, has targeted local artisans and contractors for the implementation of construction and maintenance projects, noting that the programme would also promote local business through the purchasing of goods and services from local suppliers.

He also revealed that the pillar on human and social development was also factored into the programme, as there was an element of social equality to eradicate poverty by empowering the marginalised people, people living with disabilities and other groups, such as the youth and the elderly as well as the income distribution.

He said it was evident that there was an alignment between the programme and Vision 2036, Sustainable Development Goals and National Development Plan 11.

Mr Molefi revealed that projects implemented in the last financial year were many, but had no impact on the communities, hence this time around, they wanted to make a difference.

He called for transformational planning, emphasising the need to cluster development projects and to choose according to priorities in an effort to benefit the communities.

“We should come up with projects that will make a difference in the lives of the communities and at the same time being sustainable,” he stressed.

He also appraised the house about the challenges faced by the district in the implementation of CCP projects. He said currently the district was implementing 2018/19 financial year projects.

Mr Molefi decried slow implementation of the programme since its inception, noting that most projects were not completed as per schedule. Currently the district, he said, had only spent P6 million of the total amount of P40 million.

He revealed that generally, all ongoing projects were facing similar challenges of non-committed contractors, noting that some contractors were slow to complete projects, while some end up abandoning projects.

He also mentioned that shortage of artisans in the Okavango Sub-district delayed project implementation, while in other areas, the district experienced high demand of building materials due to ongoing programmes, with few hardware stores.

Failure of suppliers to supply materials on time, unavailability of plots for the projects and change of project scope after approval were also identified as challenges.

In response, councillors called for proper supervision and monitoring of projects.

They were shocked to learn that the district had used only P6 million and called for fast-tracking and proper implementation of projects.

They appreciated the asphalt overlay and resealing of Maun internal roads project, which was reported to be ongoing and progressing well with majority of works having been covered so far.

The project is expected to be completed by end of this month. The works were awarded to Parks Mining and Quarries at P29 637 368.

Councillors concurred that it was important to undertake infrastructural projects that would give the area a much needed facelift. ENDS