30 Jan 2013

Gaborone City Council has taken a resolution to close public standpipes in Naledi effecting January 31.

Addressing councilors during a special full council meeting on January 28, Deputy Town Clerk Mr Lebuile Israel said they had consulted Naledi residents and they did not object to the resolution. Resolution to close the standpipes comes after completion of the Naledi infrastructure development upgrading.

He highlighted that the council spent close to P211 million on infrastructure development, which also included the connection of water in each homestead.

Each plot owner would have to pay P1 500 for meter and water connection. Mr Israel told councilors that out of the 1 618 plots, 1 108 had already been connected with 506 remaining.

Naledi North councillor, Ms Mary Ramhago applauded the council for the developments taking place in Naledi, adding that this had indeed improved the quality of life of the residents.

She confirmed that the community gave a green light to the disconnection of public standpipes at a meeting held mid January and requested that at least three public standpipes be changed to prepaid.

She highlighted that out of the 506 who had still not connected, 24 of them were destitute and orphans whom the council had taken the initiative to assist by January 31.

However, Naledi Central councillor Mr Oabile Mafunga was of a different opinion. He was of the view that Naledi residents who had requested that date of closure be extended to March 31, were not connected due to either their financial situation or family disputes over the plots.

He therefore requested council to offer residents time to work on their situations until at a time when they would be able to pay the P1 500 connection fee.

Whilst councilors were still divided over the issue, council chairperson Mr Haskins Nkaigwa took a decision for the house and said it was clear that the majority of the councilors were of the opinion that public standpipes be closed by January 31.

He therefore advised council authorities to be in constant touch with Water Utilities Corporation to enable smooth operation of the project. ENDS