19 Dec 2022

Life as previously known has not been possible since disruptions that ensued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Developments have been slow because resources were channelled to fighting the scourge.

However, all was not lost since some went ahead even in the midst of the many challenges experiened.

Francistown mayor, Mr Godisang Radisigo said the outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted many planned developments for the city.

In his Christmas message during a gala dinner hosted for stakeholders Friday in Francistown, Mr Radisigo explained that most resources were channelled to facilitate the fight against the pandemic in line with the President’s Reset Agenda priority number one that talked about saving Botswana population from COVID-19.

“Therefore, this led to limited allocation of resources to serve our community over the last few years,” said Mr Radisigo.

He said Francistown City Council should be given credit for achieving some of its goals despite budgetary constraints posed by the pandemic.

Mr Radisigo said the council managed some critical services while some had to be shelved.

He said another challenge was the transition of the Public Procurement Act in April, one of the reforms meant to improve service delivery.

Mr Radisigo said the development led to freezing of some procurement activities, therefore, delaying the commencement of council procurement plan albeit resulting in an improvement in awarding tenders.

The mayor said the city council experienced delays in delivery due to a high number of appeals and poor performance by contractors.

However, there has been some achievements worth celebrating.

Mr Radisigo cited maintenance of primary school facilities under the development budget, which were successfully implemented and handed over at Botlhatlogo and Ikhutseng primary schools and the commissioning of tenders for the construction of teachers’ accommodation at Gerald Estate at a cost of P39 million.

The mayor appreciated the Department of Basic Education for issuing 3 707 laptops to Mater Spei College and Francistown Senior Secondary School, to further digitalisation initiative and improve learners performance.

Mr Radisigo also stated that the council completed installation of 225 lights of solar lighting in various areas covering 5.6 kilometre to illuminate the city.

City clerk, Mr Lopang Pule said the event was to appreciate the role played by stakeholders in delivering the mandate of the council, acknowledge challenges the council faced during the year under review, especially budgetary constraints, challenges in procurement, poor project management and implementation as well as the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

For his part, deputy mayor and councilor for Itekeng Ward, Mr Lesego Kwambala said Francistown had massive potential for economic growth and called on stakeholders to support the town’s vision of becoming a hub for logistics and transportation. ENDs