BCP demand protection against floods

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Tuesday January 15, 2008 00:00

However, the demonstration, led by the party's Vice President, Kesitegile Gobotswang went ahead and the petition was read in all the stations from Letloreng through Chadibe, Borotsi and it ended up in Sefhare.

The party has since mobilised a delegation representing all the affected villages to hand the petition directly to the minister.
Gobotswang claimed that they had written a letter to the District Office receive the petition on behalf of the minister but there was no response.

However, the party received a letter from the District Office in Mahalapye notifying them that if the District Officer is to receive the petition on behalf of the Minister the petition has to come to the DO's office.

The letter dated December 11 was signed by District Officer, Mothibi Monyakeng.
Despite this Gobotswang said 'we are done with the demonstration, the delegation to the minister is ready and the DO's letter cannot stop us from going directly to the minister'.
The demonstration was held on December 21.

Meanwhile, in their petition the BCP demand that the government should address as a matter of urgency the state of roads that cause floods in Sefhare, Borotsi, Chadibe and Letoreng and that a bridge should be constructed in Mosikari River not a culvert as it is currently the case.

The party demands that the government bear the responsibility and compensate residents for all the damages they incurred as a result of floods brought about by poor construction of roads. They also stated that wider culverts must be constructed to improve the flow of water during the rainy season.

The BCP further called on the government to set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the poor condition of roads in Tswapong.
The petition goes on to state that the BCP is mostly disturbed by the floods that are a result of the construction of internal roads in Tswapong South villages. It states that since the roads were opened for use in 2003 the concerned villages started experiencing floods.

It argues that such 'man-made floods' which also pose a threat to human life mostly affect people who live next to the roads including businesses.     
'As the BCP we do not believe that developments like road networks should now oppress people but improve their lifestyles,' said a party spokesperson.

It also states that the party is concerned  that relevant cabinet officials are aware of the situation but no action is taken. Heavy rainfall is expected until March this year.
The petition further noted that the quality of the entire roads in Tswapong area is very low and cited Moremi-Lesenepole, Dikabea-Kgagodi and those branching to villages along Palapye-Martins Drift.

 
The BCP said Dikabea-Kgagodi road was reconstructed shortly after it was opened. 'BCP views this as corruption as the government continues to pay the construction companies who did not meet the expected quality standards of roads'.
BCP has resolved to make the demonstrations an annual event until the problem is resolved.