Council intends to phase out bitumen for fly ash
Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday August 16, 2018 15:19
Town clerk, Godimo Garegope has said that the technology involves using the fly ash that would be sourced from Morupule Coal Mine in Palapye instead of the usual bitumen, interlocking bricks and concrete that is expensive.
“We want to experiment it and if it proves effective then we use it for internal roads. The fly ash is currently stockpiled because it is no longer of use by the mine so it would be delivered to us and in that way we would only incur transport costs. Again Palapye is not very far from us,” he said. He said if there is willingness they would also engage other municipalities such as the Central District Council to try out the new technology on a short stretch of road with a lot of traffic to test its durability.
Garegope said some South African experts came and made a presentation to council on the idea hence the council made two attempts to travel to South Africa to appreciate where the technology has been used and witness its effectiveness. “We are impressed and willing to uptake the new technology because even its cost benefit analysis is impressive,” he added.
He added that other means of keeping the town in good condition to attract investors include maintenance of streetlights to improve illumination and maintaining the cleanliness of the town. The town would soon embark on intensive cleanup campaigns. The constituency funding that is expected would also be channelled towards the erection of two tower lights in the east and western part of the town with the intention of erecting more with the next constituency funds.
Council is also carrying out maintenance of its houses to improve staff accommodation and have since applied to the Liquidator’s office for some housing units to accommodate some officers to pave way for maintenance. The town clerk is happy that some officers are even willing to share as maintenance continues.
For the financial years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 council would improve the status of the showgrounds by fencing and constructing sanitary facilities as well as the ticket office with the intention of turning the facility into a pavilion. The Sam Sono stadium would also be upgraded to increase the seats, shelter and stands. Road maintenance is also ongoing to improve the drainage system in problematic areas. Council is currently banking on the approval of their request submission for the fuel levy to resurface the road around the mall. For land servicing that is a serious challenge, council is awaiting feedback from relevant ministries.