11 Dec 2013

Lack of alternative routes in Molepolole coupled with congested infrastructure, makes the village a fire hazard, the chairperson of the Kweneng District Council, Mr Motlhophi Leo, has said.

Addressing councillors during a full council meeting recently, Mr Leo said despite the risk, construction of a fire station in the village had always been elusive. Mr Leo said at present, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had no financial provision for construction of a fire station in Molepolole.

He noted that Molepolole deserved a fire station because it ranked as the largest village in the country, with even large government installations such as general hospital, a college of education and institute of health sciences.

When fire breaks out, help comes from Thebephatshwa, a military airbase; or from Gaborone, 50 kilometres away.

He said the council was negotiating with Rural Metro Emergency Management Services for possibility of partnership dedicated towards establishing fire and rescue centre in Molepolole; and the project could be replicated in other big villages in the Kweneng District.

The proposed project, he said, would entail design and construction of a full-fledged fire station complete with associated human resources, equipment and fully managed by the company whereas the council will only be paying service fees as per the contract.

On other issues, Mr Leo said the council identified nine primary schools for the introduction of reception classes effective first school term of 2014. This follows the announcement by President Ian Khama in his state-of-the-nation address last month that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development would introduce reception classes in selected primary schools.

The schools include Diphuduhudu, Serinane, Sorilatholo, Gamodubu, Mmokolodi , Ramaphate, Boatlaname, Letloe and Loologane. He added that the Chinese government would build a primary school at Mmopane, near Bokamoso Private Hospital.

The proposed school project, estimated at P40 million, will include 22 classrooms, an administration block, a library, a science laboratory and 26 teachers’ houses; and it will enroll 880 pupils.

The council chairperson said the Molepolole bus rank and associated works were progressing satisfactorily at 54 percent ahead of the targeted progress of 51.3 percent, meaning that it was two weeks ahead of schedule. Completion date is August next year. ENDS