13 Jul 2020

Molepolole Administrative Authority (MAA) principal economic planner has acknowledged delay in completing layouts by the department of physical planning to ease land allocation by Molepolole sub-landboard.

Ms Neo Ooke was responding to councillors’ at the sub-council meeting that ended on July 10, who complained about delayed land allocations by the sub-landboard and led to escalating numbers of people on the waiting list.

“It is true that we experienced significant challenges hindering completion of layouts in our area, thus affecting land allocations processes despite the high demand of land,” Ms Ooke explained.

She also indicated they had challenges in procuring expensive software for the exercise as well as training of employees, some of whom she said had since left for greener pastures hence the delay.

Nevertheless, she assured councillors that they had committed to a three-month timeline to address the issue despite that they were to consult with relevant structures, including full council forums for approval before it could be handed over to the landboard.

She was optimistic that they would have completed the layout by end of this month and handed it over to relevant structures.

On completion of the Molepolole Development Plan, she said the issue was beyond her control and had since been escalated to the minister’s office for approval.

Cllr Nduela Kgarebe had wanted an update on land allocation by Molepolole sub-landboard as well as factors contributing to the delay in the exercise.

Cllr Kgarebe also challenged Kweneng East DHMT to provide chairs for the sick and elderly at the Scottish Livingstone Hospital parking area to use while they waited to be allowed into the building during working hours, arguing that the current arrangement was appalling.

“It is important that you consider clients in making certain decisions because the arrangement could be made by availing officers to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols than to deny those who come early to gain access into the hospital building despite conditions they are in,” he said.

On the need to having ARVs dispensers at Lesilakgokong and Kotolaname villages, Kweneng East DHMT chief medical officer, Dr Jane Thengo said they were aware of the prevailing situation which she explained was not only peculiar to those areas but a common problem as the district was experiencing high shortage of qualified personnel.

On provision of chairs for patients, Dr Thengo said there were no plans to avail such arguing that they started operations, including screening for COVID-19 at 730am and therefore arriving before then was private arrangement which the hospital would not interfere with.

On the other hand, Cllr Mathata Selaledi of Kopong West/Gakuto reiterated his concern about the area link road reportedly in bad state. 

Cllr Selaledi said time was nigh to act because the road was inaccessible owing to the bad potholes which also contributed  to the increase in number of accidents. Ends