24 Nov 2022

Plans to construct the 30km Mathathane-Platjan border post road are at an advanced stage. Opening the ongoing Bobirwa sub-council meeting on Tuesday, chairperson, Mr Kgomotso Mmereki said procurement of the engineering consultant and Environmental Impact Assessment was currently at evaluation stage. 

He encouraged SPEDU, which facilitated the project, to expedite the procurement process so the project was delivered on time. Mr Mmereki informed councillors that the Department of Roads-Central Government would be implementing construction of Mmadinare-Robelela 40km road, resealing of Mmadinare access road and Damochujenaa road during financial year 2022/23. 

He said the project was currently at qualification stage. “I welcome these developments and also encourage the Department to expedite the implementation of this project,” he said. 

On other issues he pleaded with Bobirwa sub-district staff to work together in order to provide direction and facilitate partnerships as well as collaborative funding models that supported economic development initiatives in the sub-district.

 “Together as a collective we will succeed despite the current challenges,” he said. 

He said the Sub-district financial situation had not improved, adding that the recurrent budget was inadequate to cater for basic running costs that were central to the functioning of the council. 

Mr Mmereki said this had led to delayed payments of suppliers, a situation that was highly regrettable as it was negatively affecting the cash flow. 

“We are hopeful that our cash flow challenges will be addressed in the future,” he said. 

In an effort to reduce cost-overruns, Mr Mmereki said the council had suspended procurement of goods and services through the recurrent budget, save for emergencies until further notice.

 “I also urge all of us to understand and support all costs containing measures that have been put in place to keep the council afloat despite its liquidity challenges,” he said. 

Mr Mmereki also thanked the leadership of the sub-district for their active participation which was key to the realisation of localising development. ENDS