Red tape snags Kanye destitute housing
Lebogang Baingapi | Wednesday July 12, 2017 16:30
A full council meeting held here on Monday heard that the P6 million allocated by government to the Southern District Council (SDC) in the February national budget, was supposed to build 21 destitute houses in Goodhope and 19 each in Moshupa, Kanye and Mabutsane.
However, progress in the Kanye Administrative Authority (KAA) has been at a snail’s pace, with construction yet to start. SDC chairperson, Alec Seametso said after approval of the funds, it took too long for officers involved to undertake the procurement and implementation phase. “It is very slow in almost all sub-districts and the civil servants should pull up their socks,” he said.
“The Kanye Administration Authority is the poorest of them all in implementation. This is not only a setback to the Council but also the community that we serve. We are aware of some of the challenges but let’s be effective.” Kgosing ward councillor, Mosekesi Rangobana pointed an accusing finger at the KAA for poor monitoring of projects.
He said it was the duty of the chairperson to consult with public officers and help them in implementation and monitoring of projects. “We are currently also in the dark about the P10 million Constituency Fund in our sub-district.
We expect to be briefed at sub-council level about this, but unfortunately that has not been the case,” Rangobana said. The councillor said the shortage of manpower, especially engineers at KAA, had also delayed the floating of tenders in various projects.
“In addition, the ruling party decides to grade roads in its wards and leave those which are led by the opposition,” he claimed. Molopo councillor Dorah Pandoh said the ward had found a way around challenges in implementation.
“At Goodhope we manage project implementation and monitoring by buying materials for the contractors to assist in the timely construction and completion of projects. We also work hand in hand with the assistant council secretary to monitor projects and that is why most of our projects are completed on time,” she advised.
Meanwhile Magoriapitse councillor, Charles Modimothebe praised government for providing P16 million for the maintenance of roads damaged by Cyclone Dineo earlier this year. “However civil servants must hasten implementation of these projects without any delay,” he said.