01 Jun 2025

The review of the Development Managers (DM) model has been finalised and is awaiting Cabinet approval, says Member of Parliament (MP) for Boteti East who is also Assistant Minister of  Transport and Infrastructure Mr Keoagile Atamelang. 

The MP briefed Mokubilo  residents about the progress and upcoming developments during a kgotla meeting on Friday Mr Atamelang explained that the purpose of the review was to address issues related to exorbitant quotations in project procurement. He emphasised that the review focused on the Development Managers model and not on specific projects. Should the model fail to get Cabinet approval,  he said project implementation would revert to the traditional tendering procedures.

He  also discussed financial challenges faced by the government, noting that due to a lack of funds pensioners had not received the initially proposed amount of P1 800, saying government  remained optimistic that it would achieve its initial goal. Mr Atamelang also appealed to Mokubilo Cooperative to resolve their challenges transparently and urged community members to report issues. He reaffirmed that residents whose farmland had been acquired by the government were entitled to compensation.

In addition, he said  that the Botswana Meat Commission’s Francistown abattoir would soon undergo refurbishment, providing Northern farmers with better marketing opportunities. Mr Atamelang said there were plans to purchase a grader  through the Constituency Community Development Programme (CCDP), which would assist in grading gravel roads, creating firebreaks, and improving access to farms. He also shared plans to expand the CCDP brick moulding project in Letlhakane, aimed at empowering local artisans and supporting the local economy.

The MP was responding to community concerns where one resident, Mr Ookeditse Ditaola called for the swift completion of the Development Manager review to facilitate project implementations such as the upgrading of Mokubilo Clinic with a maternity wing. He also requested the installation of a power transformer in Kutlwano and Tidimalo wards.

Letlhakane Land Board Chairperson, Mr Kebolathetswe Kethanyegile advised farmers whose land had been acquired to apply for new farms, assuring them that compensation funds were expected soon. The Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Motlogelwa Mosalagae raised concerns about the lack of accommodation and office facilities for public officers in Mokubilo, highlighting lack of  police  office space among others. In response, Council Secretary Mr Mpaphi Kgomotso encouraged residents  to utilise Bonno Housing programme and consider renting to public officers to alleviate shortage of accomodation. ENDS