29 Nov 2022

Good Hope/Mabule Member of Parliament Mr Eric Molale has emphasised the importance of decentralisation of development programmes to enhance service delivery.

Contributing to the State-of the-Nation Address on Thursday, Mr Molale, also the Minister of Transport and Public Works said the decision to upgrade some sub-districts to full district councils underpinned President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s view that sustainable economic development should be supported by decentralisation.

He said in his constituency, through the new Good Hope District, government would be able to speed up service delivery with cost containment and improved quality.

Mr Molale also said he was happy that the road network in his constituency would be improved, and that water and electricity situation was also being improved.

He said government under President Masisi had become more citizen-focused by ensuring the empowerment of ordinary Batswana through the Economic Inclusion Act, the upcoming Temo Letlotlo agricultural programme and other schemes aimed at developing the nation.

He said the move to make the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination Centre a national centre of excellence was commendable.

Additionally, Mr Molale called for new approaches in the construction of roads from the tender stage to the construction, maintenance and defects liability periods.

He said he was in conversation with cabinet about the usage of different models, including government engaging the private sector, the use of toll gates, and decongestion of roads through the use of alternative routes.

Mr Molale said roads to production areas such as Mosisedi and those going to tourist areas should be given priority.

Also, debating the SONA, Letlhakeng-Lephepe legislator,  Mr Liakat Kablay said having a fully-fledged council for his constituency was a laudable move that would lead to improved development and better livelihoods.

Mr Kablay commended First Lady Ms Neo Masisi for her crusade against gender-based violence, which had been a major challenge in his constituency. 

He said he was pleased that her visits to the constituency had acted as an intervention so much that the cases were declining.

He decried water shortage in the constituency, calling for the relevant departments to act. 

Mr Kablay gave the example of Boatlaname, which he said struggled with potable water, and relied on Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) bowsers, but had a big primary school that needed utilities.

He also said pipes distributing water to some villages in his constituency were in a poor state and called for WUC to solve the problem. 

While commending government for connecting many villages to the electricity grid, Mr Kablay complained about power outages, particularly in Letlhakeng. Ends