Africa-Press – Botswana. North West District Council has officially approved the name Senonnori for the new primary school currently under construction in Senonnori ward, Maun.
The decision was made during a special full council session, where councillors unanimously endorsed the name after confirmation that the proper procedures outlined in national guidelines had been followed.
According to the council, the process adhered to Section 8.0 of the National Guideline on Naming of Streets, Roads, Public Facilities, and Localities.
This section stipulates that authorities must designate names for public streets, roads, local government facilities, open spaces, and cemeteries through formal council resolutions.
Councillors also learnt that also learnt that a kgotla meeting with the community, village leadership, Ward Development Committee (WDC) for naming proposal was held on the March 13 and the name, Senonnori was approved through voting out of the four suggested names of Balusi Mhaladi, Mpho Motsamai and Masake Jobe.
It was also informed that the application was presented to Physical Planning Committee on their sitting July 3 and they resolved to approve the name Senonnori Primary School as it was selected by the majority.
However, councillors appreciated the decision by residents and agreed upon the name even though some questioned the meaning of Senonnori but they were advised to engaged the ward leadership on the history of the ward.
Meanwhile, recently, the council chairman, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng told media that the construction of new primary school was almost complete as currently the contractor was attending to the defects and tidying up the site in preparation for handover.
The project, he said was 98 per cent complete and the contractor was completing storm water drainage and steel tanks.
The school is being constructed into two packages with package one comprising of construction of academic facilities which has been awarded to LERS Electrical at a total cost of P56, 874, 127.61 and expenditure to date is P51, 456, 752.43.
The project started on the January 8 2024 and was due for completion on July 13 this yaear but experienced delay.
Package two which comprise of construction of staff housing facilities has been awarded to Black Rubbie Properties at a total cost of P25, 000, 000.00 and expenditure to date is P11, 105, 973.85 while the project is 65 per cent complete.
The project commenced on January 22 2024 and is scheduled to be completed on the September 29.
The school is expected to reduce the long distance that learners have been traveling to access education.
On other issues, councillors formed a council company which will serve as an investment wing aimed to generate revenue for the council.
The council chairman, Mr Kelebetseng stated that the formation of the company followed a directive from the minster of Local Government and Traditional Affairs urging local authorities to establish business wings to generate income and become less dependent on government subsidies.
He said the initiative would indeed help to boost sources of revenue for the council considering the fact that the council has not been able to adequately undertake some developmental projects due to strained budget and the Revenue Support Grant that has been declining with every financial year.
“We need to seek alternative revenue sources to overcome financial challenges and fund development projects aimed to benefit our communities,” he added.
Councillors also endorsed changes in the standing order. They also elected new council committees.
However, councillor for Chanoga/Samedupi ward, Mr Nico Folae proposed that sitting allowances for councillors be suspended for the next 12 months since the council was currently faced with financial constraints.
By so doing, he said the council could be able to save money and channel it towards pressing issues.
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