Africa-Press – Botswana. Government is currently unable to pay salaries to land overseers because of lack of funds.
Tonota Member of Parliament, Mr Pono Moatlhodi told a kgotla meeting in Tonota Wednesday that they were only paid appearance allowance equivalent to that of land board members.
However, he informed the residents that discussions are on for land overseers to be salaried though it has taken a long time to address the matter.
“I personally persuaded the matter because I feel that land overseers are doing a wonderful job hence they need to be salaried,” he added.
MP Moatlhodi explained that currently there were 350 land overseers countrywide whose monthly salaries would cost government over P7.6 million annually.
The MP, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, explained that the possibility to pay them would be considered when the economy improved and funds became available.
Mr Moatlhodi informed the residents about some of the development projects that would be undertaken during the 2023/2025 national transitional development plan.
He said such projects include construction of the Tonota Primary hospital, the construction of the Semotswane-Mandunyane-Shashemooke-Borolong-Chadibe-Natale and Mathangwane road to bitumen standard.
The project was estimated to cost government P675 million and would also create employment opportunities for the residents of the villages that the road passes through.
Other projects are the construction of new primary hospitals in Shashemooke and Tonota West and funds have been secured.
MP Moatlhodi also informed the residents that Tonota District Council, with a staff compliments of 356 employees, had been allocated over P94 million for the 2023/2024 financial year.
He commended the newly elected Tonota District Council chairperson, Mr Baemedi Medupi and council secretary Mr Onthatile Mulelu for being the first at the helm of the political and administrative wings of the new fully fledged district council respectively.
The MP also commended, Ms Boitumelo Mokwena on her appointment as the new district commissioner for Tonota District, adding that together with the council chairman and secretary, the three were an epitome of the 21st century type of employees.
He therefore appealed to the residents to work hand in hand with the new leadership in order to develop the district and bring developments closer to the people.
The legislator also informed the residents that drug availability at Tonota clinic had improved since April citing that vital drug availability stood at 66 per cent, vaccination drugs at 74 per cent, ARV drugs at 93 per cent whilst necessary drugs stood 20 per cent.
MP Moatlhodi, who was addressing a series of kgotla meetings in his constituency, also commended civil servants for their hard work and dedication during the eradication of COVID-19 pandemic.
Tonota Village Development Committee (VDC) Umbrella chairperson, Mr Gabotswesepe Keletso complained of several developments that had been delayed in the village.
He said apart from the primary hospital and primary school in Tonota West, it was high time that government constructed a fire brigade in the village.
The village has been experiencing fire outbreaks in which large structures, including homes, were gutted by fire but without any help to extinguish it.
He also complained about shortage of drugs in health facilities as well as drug and substance abuse amongst school-going children, including those attending primary schools.
Mr Keletso also complained about the illegal sand mining along Shashe River, saying the river was now dying a natural death due to human activity.
He also requested for a clinic at Tonota West, saying residents of the ward were suffering to access the main clinic due to lack of transport. The VDC Chairman recommended that a person holding the position of Umbrella VDC chairperson should be an ex-officio member of the district council in order to get firsthand information on developments affecting the village.
For their part, some residents complained of the increasing cases of livestock theft in their area as well as shortage of potable water, amongst others.
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