Africa-Press – Lesotho. The fast growth of Gaborone, by both population and land size over the years, has impacted drastically on available resources in the capital. In a statement delivered in Parliament on Friday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele, said Gaborone population had grown from 231 000 in 2011 to the current 246 000.
Mr Modukanele explained that in an attempt to improve service delivery brought about by the challenge, the ministry was operating two service centres in Tsholofelo and Old Naledi, which offered services by various departments such as SHHA, social and community development and Bye Law enforcement, among others.
“The ministry is planning to have fully fledged digitalised service centres in the future,” he said.
He added that the ministry was alive to suggestions to change the Gaborone City Council (GCC) structure and divide it into two with special functions.
“My ministry however, holds the view that better results would be achieved by improving on the current service centre model by strengthening its administrative capacity of staff and delegating more responsibilities,” he said.
He explained that the impending implementation of digital transformational strategy by the ministry was one important way of intervention to service delivery, especially in impacted areas like Gaborone.
“When this strategy is in full swing, it is anticipated that residents of Gaborone would be offered a cluster of services with an option of self service, which will improve convenience and efficiency,” he said. Furthermore, he said the draft National Decentralised Policy would be brought to Parliament in due course for appreciation.
“If approved, the policy will provide great opportunity for innovation and improved service delivery mechanisms in line with the ministry’s Strategic and Transformational Plan 2021/2025, themed: Batho Pele, Closer, Faster and Better,” he said, adding until then, GCC would continue to operate as a single local authority and discharge its mandate as required while resources would be channelled towards strengthening lower level units of service delivery without changing the structure and nature of the council.
The minister’s statement followed a question by Member of Parliament for Gaborone North, Mr Mpho Balopi on whether the ministry did not deem Gaborone growth in population and size overwhelming to the city council.
Mr Balopi also wanted to know if government would not consider creating at least two administrative authorities with one responsible for administration and the other for welfare in order to improve service delivery.
He had also indicated that infrastructure such as roads, stormwater drainages and bridges in the city were outdated. “A typical example is the recent rains that forced most of our roads to be closed, causing traffic jams. This is a confirmation that our storm water drainage network is outdated,” he argued.
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