Minister rules out extension of cattle control operations

NELSON DIRENG
Correspondent | Thursday November 24, 2011 00:00

 

In response to a question from Tonota North MP, Fidelis Molao in Parliament, the minister told the legislator to help in mobilising the people to ensure that they take care of their cattle. Molao questioned the minister about the resealing of the Francistown-Maun road which is long overdue and whether it would include bituminisation of the roads leading to the Mathangwane Kgotla, Mathangwane clinics, Hubona and Mafhungo Kgotla and Mphinyane Primary School.

Molefhi acknowledged that the Francistown-Maun road needs rehabilitation but pointed out that it had not been included in the National Development Plan (NDP) 10 due to financial constraints. He explained that reseals are maintenance operations, which do not include upgrading and hence do not fall under the development expenditure as they are not major works.

'As such the resealing of the Francistown-Nata roads would not include bituminisation of roads leading to Mathangwane, Hubona and Mafhungo Kgotla access roads,' he said. He explained that access roads to schools and clinics in villages fall under the jurisdiction of local authorities. He said the ministry has plans to replace parts of the fence along the Francistown-Maun road during the next financial year if funds are available.

Maun West MP, Tawana Moremi asked the minister why there is so much discrimination against Maun. He said that the question being asked required an answer concerning the whole length of the Francistown-Maun road fence, but the minister's answer only seemed to be concerned with the Francistown-Nata fence. In response, Molefhi said the fence along the Francistown-Maun road ends at Nata and that is why he his focusing on this area.

'The area running from Nata going to Maun is grazing land for animals that sometimes cross the road in search of water,' he said.