10 Mar 2021

 Legislators, on Tuesday, supported the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development’s budget proposals for the 2021/22 financial year.

Tonota MP, Mr Pono Moatlhodi, called for contract extension of safety, health and environment (SHE) officers and scorpions that expire at the end of this month.

He said the officers, who were engaged at the beginning of COVID-19 campaign, had played an important role and therefore deserved an extension of their contracts.

MP Moatlhodi further said kgotla meetings should be allowed with 50 people.

The Tonota legislator further said he was concerned about the amount of time it took to fill dikgosi and headmen vacancies.

He further said it was wrong for the headmen to be appointed along party affiliation.

MP Moatlhodi called upon the minister to urgently replace the Mandunyane office vehicle which he said was taken without consultation with the community.

He said kgotla shelter in Shashemooke had to be repaired after it was blown by strong winds adding the village needs infrastructure development and an additional primary school.

Takatokwane-Lephephe MP, Mr Liekat Kablay, said the service centre in Sojwe was turning to a white elephant since it was not properly resourced, forcing residents to travel to Molepolole for services.The legislator attributed Boatlaname Primary School poor performance to lack of electricity.

MP Kablay said it was important for the school to be electrified to enable it to connect to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure.

He said people in his constituency depended largely on government social welfare programmes but said the social welfare officer however refuses to hand out special food baskets as recommended by doctors.

The MP also said the Village Development Committee (VDC) members worked on a regular basis and therefore their allowances should be increased.

He further said Mantshwabisi village has long been promised a vehicle and they are still waiting for it.

MP Kablay said Letlhakeng sub-district should be a fully-fledged district.

This was supported by Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas, who said this did not require amendment of the constitution.

He said the Decentralisation Policy had been under development for 10 years and this had impacted service delivery.

MP Taolo said said funds, including revenue support grants, must go straight to the sub-districts.

He said he hoped bogosi would also be decentralised through amendment of legislation.

The Bobonong MP said each constituency should have a major manufacturing industry to create employment opportunities in the rural areas.

Kgalagadi North MP, ms Thatitha Monnakgotla also said her area should be a district since it was far from Tshabong.

She further said there were few social welfare officers yet her constituency faced challenges especially Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases.

MP Monnakgotla said Tshane kgotla had been destroyed by winds and therefore needs to be repaired.

She said public officers faced challenges of inadequate accommodation while teacher’s houses in Lokgwabe have been destroyed by floods.

She said pupils in Hunhukwe continued to be transported in open trucks and she requested the ministry to acquire a bus.

Mochudi East MP Mr Mabuse Pule welcomed the transformation of Ipelegeng as the employees would be engaged on sustainable projects.He further welcomed the establishment of the Project Officer saying this would result with coordination of development projects.

MP Pule said the population of Oodi has increased over the years due to its proximity to the city and therefore required an additional primary school.

He further requested the ministry to undertake infrastructure developments in his constituency and said most of the roads needed maintenance.

He further said tribal administration should be provided with vehicles and other resources like other public offices.

For his part, Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy welcomed the transformation of Ipelegeng and said the beneficiary would be able to acquire new skills.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic has affected ordinary Batswana such that a new research was needed in order to improve the social welfare protection services.

MP Buti said the Francistown City Council had developed a storm water drainage master plan, but it was now gathering dust.

He also called for the implementation of council motions and resolutions.Tati East MP, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe welcomed the review of Ipelegeng saying this would create employment opportunities for the youths who have graduated from vocational schools.

He said his constituency needed street lights and a storm water drainage system. ENDS