Africa-Press – Botswana. The construction of new modern tribal administration offices in Molepolole will facilitate seamless administration of Bogosi and issues around it, says acting minister of local government and rural development Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the multimillion pula state-of-the-art facilities in Molepolele Tuesday, Mr Modukanele said the new double-storey facilities would be built on a 600 square metre stretch and aesthetically reflect the culture of Bakwena.
He said the facilities were designed to accommodate at least 25 offices, a boardroom, conference rooms and storage facilities including a access roads, car parks, storm-water drainage and sewerage reticulation.
“Government attaches great importance to kgotla system as a custodian of governance and conflict resolution through nation building and promotion of social cohesion,” he said.
Mr Modukanele said besides the Molepolole building project, government had resolved to upgrade two more Customary Court offices in Maun and Mochudi to improve service delivery within tribal administration.
For his part area MP Mr Kabo Morwaeng said he was elated that finally the project had commenced.
The project and many others to come, he said, was a clear indication that government was committed to delivering on its promises.
Kweneng District Council (KDC) chairperson Mr Allen Jacobs said through the ministry of local government and rural development, councils had been given the responsibility to construct kgotla facilities throughout the country.
Through this arrangement KDC undertook the design of Molepolole kgotla in 2019 where consultancy services for the designs were awarded to Tectura International PTY Ltd at a cost of over P1.5 million, he said. The project was awarded at a total cost of over P22 million. Mr Jacobs said the contract was divided into three components, namely building contract, awarded to Palatime Holdings (Pty) Ltd at a cost of over P15 million while Glancemore (Pty) Ltd was awarded electrical works at a cost of more than P3 million.
Snapbox company was awarded mechanical works at a cost of more than P2 million. He said all the companies were citizen owned.
Mr Jacobs said the project commenced on April 19 this year and was envisaged to be completed by February 19, 2024.
“I believe that this facility will address a great challenge of office accommodation problems and improve service delivery,” he said. In his appreciation remarks Kgosi Kgari III commended government for delivering the project. However, he said it could have long commenced since it was budgeted for some years back but was stalled by economic challenges. He pleaded with the contractors to deliver a high quality product within time and budget as agreed.
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