Africa-Press – Botswana. A stop-gap measure has been planned to address the long standing problem of storm water drainage system in Gaborone Phase IV, especially in Sedibeng.
This was revealed during a kgotla meeting addressed by the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele at Gaborone’s Phase IV on August 1.
Mr Modukanele told residents that government was long aware of the challenge of storm water drainage in the area, which he said hindered the normal daily activities of residents, such as children attending school.
“A decision has been taken to include the storm water drainage project in the Transitional National Development Plan, not only for Gaborone, but other parts of the country that are also in need,” he said.
Mr Modukanele said because the storm water master plan might take a while to complete, his ministry through Gaborone City Council, has decided on a stop-gap measure to redirect the storm water before the start of the rainy season around September.
“We have been in discussion with the council and we are expecting them on the ground to asses and make plans on how they can redirect the water,” he said.
The city council’s chief civil engineer, Mr Gaborone Phiri confirmed the challenge of the poor storm water drainage system in the area, and said that in some areas it even interfered with the Water Utilities Corporation pipelines.
“Council engineers are currently making plans on how and where to re-direct water as a temporary stop-gap.
This might need deep excavations in some areas because of the topography, which needs thorough planning and therefore might take time,” he said.
On other issues, Mr Modukanele urged residents to reduce noise pollution from entertainment centres.
He also pleaded with the residents to fight the use of drugs by youth, urging parents to talk to their children as failure to arrest the situation might deteriorate into societal moral decay.
For his part, Umbrella Ward Development Committee chairperson, Mr Benjamin Keloneilwe pleaded with the council to allow them to source funds from non-governmental organisations as well as to solicit skills from private individuals when necessary. He such an arrangement would also help in employment creation.
Another resident, Ms Rebecca Phefo requested the council to allocate open spaces in the ward to the youth and women to start small scale businesses, as leaving them idle created an abode for criminals and dumping sites.
In his vote of thanks, area Member of Parliament, Mr Christian Greef appreciated the minister for finding time to get concerns of residents first-hand, and pleaded with him to persuade council officials to ensure promises they made were fulfilled.
He said that as the capital city, Gaborone should not be outdone by villages and other urban centres on services such as storm water drainage systems and street lighting. He also urged council officials to make it a habit to go around the city to appreciate challenges.
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