24 Feb 2020

Residents of Maun have been informed that some major projects earmarked for the North West District will not be implemented as promised. 

Some members of Parliament from the district told residents during a political rally at Magotlho freedom square over the weekend that they were disappointed to learn that the construction of Sehithwa/Mohembo road and the water project had been halted.

Okavango area MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga revealed that he was shocked to learn that the road was not included in NDP11, despite news to the contrary by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi last year during kgotla meetings in Shakawe and Gumare.

He explained that the relevant minister had noted that there was no budget for the said road, as it was not included in the national plan and that efforts would be made to patch the potholes. Mr Kapinga said the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) had proven that it was not trustworthy, adding that they would continue to differ with the BDP, but would cooperate if it does the right thing.

He commended the Ngamiland community for making a historic decision to charge Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) candidates with the responsibility to represent them in Parliament, noting that they would do their best to ensure they represented them well.

He said the recent budget speech did not differ from the previous ones, noting that they were disappointed to learn that no regional projects were budgeted for.

The minister, he said, indicated that the largest slice of the budget would go to Botswana Defence Force to purchase air assets, though the biggest threat to the country was not war but poverty, poor health services, unemployment, poor infrastructure and poor education systems. Maun West legislator, Mr Dumelang Saleshando concurred that the ruling party has lot direction, noting that they were surprised to learn that the long-awaited Maun water supply and sanitation Phase II project had been suspend due to some complaints between the contractors who had bid for the tender.

The ground-breaking ceremony for the P2.65 billion mega project was performed by the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila last October in Maun. 

Envisaged to be completed in three years, the project was meant to improve access to potable water and sanitation services in Maun and its outlying villages.

Mr Saleshando said Maun water woes were far from being resolved permanently if the government could not act accordingly. 

He also stated that some acts, which were adopted, had been revised because the President was not well informed, citing the declaration of assets. 

He also criticised the budget speech saying it had failed to state how the government was going to create employment opportunities.    

“We will never stop talking about the issues that affect Batswana. We cannot watch the government continue creating jobs for foreign contractors, while the locals are idling,” Mr Saleshando added.

 Ngami area MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama also thanked the Ngamiland community for bringing change into the district’s political landscape, noting that they would never regret voting for the UDC.

He said the district was the richest in terms of wildlife, cattle and water, but it was marred by a lot of challenges, promising that they would not rest until there was a difference in the livelihoods of the communities. He stated that he was one of the MPs that rejected the budget because it did not have any projects for Ngamiland region, although he said he had hope as it was pursuant to the national transformation agenda.

Mr Hikuama said the budget indicated clearly that things were not done right in the previous administration, but expressed concern that there was nothing for North West. He revealed that efforts would be made to engage relevant authorities and ensure that some projects for the district were included during mid-term review. ends