13 Dec 2023

Following the dismissal of a contractor engaged to undertake the refurbishment of the old Maun General Hospital, the Ministry of Health has deployed more security in efforts to deter vandalism and theft at the site.

Ngami District Health Management Team coordinator, Dr Sandra Maripe-Ebutswe recently informed councillors that the progress of the project was stuck at 90 per cent because the contractor abandoned the site and the vandalism of already completed works as well as break-ins.

However, Dr Maripe-Ebutswe said incidents of theft had declined since security companies were engaged and that only three incidents were recorded this year. 

A maintenance manager from the Department of Buildings and Works, Mr Othusitse Bethia also informed councillors that the contract had been terminated and that progress had been stagnant since 2021.

He said some culprits were arrested for the vandalism and theft and that some cases were still under investigation.

The old hospital refurbishment project was awarded P66 million in July 2017 and was expected to be completed in 2018. 

The facility was expected to reduce congestion at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital.

Councillors had requested to use part of the hospital for projects to benefit community members.

On other issues, councillors requested officials from the Department of Agriculture to educate them on the newly launched Temo Letlotlo programme. They expressed concern about the low uptake of the programme, saying they could mobilise communities to utilise the initiative, but they lacked information and knowledge.

They also urged government to address human-wildlife conflict, saying failure to do so would undermine efforts to attain food security.

Councillors also appreciated the appointment of Tawana Land Board members and urged them to accelerate land allocation to reduce the waiting list.

Residential plots waiting list for Maun Sub-land Board stand at over 45 000 applications and for Sehithwa at close to 8 000 applications. Maun has the highest number of applications at over 26 000 followed by Sehithwa at close to 4 000 applications. ends