10 Dec 2020

North East District (NED) councillors have adopted the National Decentralisation Policy draft presented by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Eric Molale.

Presenting the policy during a full council sitting on Wednesday, Mr Molale stated that the policy aimed to strengthen the participation of the community in nation building.

He said many attempts were made in the past to implement the process of decentrilisation, but failed to materialise due to lack of coherence from players.

The minister stated that it was important to organise the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development so that key personnel whose portfolio fit in local government would be deployed from headquarters.

Mr Molale said this would improve organisational performance rather than consolidating all functions and powers in Gaborone, where they were not needed.

He highlighted that it was imperative to reinforce the economy of districts so that they could sustain themselves in their respective localities.

The minister cited an example with the relocation of the North East District headquarters that used to be in Francistown, but were moved to Masunga in realising that the offices were detached from people they were serving.

He continued to explain that decentrilisation was meant to empower people under local government so that they benefitted  from government schemes in their localities.

Mr Molale said the recent COVID-19 food basket proved that decentrilisation was important in that the scheme empowered urban tenderpreneurs who were engaged to supply food to the supermarkets, which in turn supplied councils in districts.

He highlighted that decentralisation advocated for home grown programmes in that local governments would formulate their own schemes tailor-made to fit and complement people in their locality.

 Mr Molale further noted that decentrilisation would transform the way service providers rendered services by cutting bureaucracy of every process being authorised in Gaborone.

The minister emphasised that the decentralisation process may result in some sub-districts being promoted to fully fledged districts.

He however noted that the move  had nothing to do with tribal territories. 

In her remarks, NEDC chairperson, Ms Florah Mpetsane stated that the district was faced with lack of road infrastructure as some contractors were challenging tender decision resulting in court cases. 

She highlighted that a low budget had been awarded for maintenance despite that schools and clinics were dilapidated.

Councillor Mpetsane said the council had long requested for a sub-district to be set up at Tati Siding so that some of the services offered in Masunga would be decentrilised to Tati Siding.

She highlighted that NED had completed its Local economic Development Strategy 2020-2025, hence requested the minister to assist in sourcing out funds to implement it. Ends