22 Mar 2022

The Southern District Council has been allocated a total of P27 million from the Road Levy Fund and Development Budget for the improvement of the internal road network during the 2022/23 financial year. 

This follows the successful completion of projects to the tune of P15 million in the previous year. 

The projects included roads paving in Goodhope, Diagawana and Mabutsane, as well as construction of a drift at Mogwalale. 

The council also procured two graders and a tipper truck for use in road maintenance. 

Addressing a virtual full council session under the theme, ‘Localising the National Transformation Agenda through Effective Local Governance’ on Monday, the council chairperson Mr Thamiso Chabalala said the increased budget was indication that government was committed to ensuring an improved road network for ease of accessibility and connectivity. 

“This is an indication that government is now giving roads infrastructure development a priority. 

The move is a very welcome development in that it is not only going to improve the pleasant mobility for motorists, safe roads and illuminated streets and properly managed storm water systems, but is also contributory to the village infrastructural appeal. 

It will make mobility between destinations very easy and therefore contribute positively effectively to the economy of the district,” he said. Additionally, Mr Chabalala noted that a consensus had been reached for local sub-contractors engaged by Elsamex to continue with drainage works at Moshana, Lotlhakane West, Moshupa and Kanye. For the latter, he said the works also included construction of housing and office accommodation. 

“The move was guided by the fact that the sub-contractors have knowledge of the site and some of their plant and equipment are still on site and as such, it would be easier for them to pick up momentum to continue with the works,” he said. 

The chairperson further said Ngwaketse Land Board was reviewing its internal processes to align with the national land policy and other related land management statutes. He noted that the exercise was aimed at improving efficiency while at the same time addressing emerging development issues.

He said in addition to the impending demarcation of SO2 ranches, land had also been availed in various places across the district, including Pitseng, Moshupa and Phitshane Molopo specifically to the youth, critical developers and investors.  “We are also in the process of demarcating the SO2 ranches to promote agricultural productivity and facilitate economic diversification, which is one of the important pillars of growth for the district,” he said. 

However, Mr Chabalala regretted that Ngwaketse Land Board managed to allocate only 2 116 out of a targeted 4000 plots owing to challenges such as low turn up of applicants, delayed surveys and the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) requirements, among others. 

These, he noted, had a negative impact on the economic and development vision for the district.

 He therefore underscored the need for strategic ways to improve the land allocation processes. BOPA.