Though the North West District Councillors have unanimously passed the proposed projects for the District Development Plan 9 (DDP 9)/ National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12), they have however raised concerns about government failing to commit to their implementation.
Botswana’s economic development planning is guided by implementation cycle which run for a period of 6 years, the NDP 12/DDP 9 details the country’s developmental priorities aimed at improving the lives of Batswana together with the financial resources required to implement them.
Speaking during the NWDC special meeting, the councillors complained that they have been proposing projects for the National Development Plan but to their disappointment government never implement them. The meeting convened for the presentation of the draft key issue paper on proposed projects for the National Development Plan 12 / District Development Plan 9.
Boro/Senonnori councillor Kenso Kgaga said government is best known of getting proposals to the books but fails to finance them. He highlighted that most proposed projects for NDP 11 were not implemented.
“This proposal is more based on the President’s mind set change initiative and I believe they will practice what they preach and implement projects. The reset agenda has failed, vision 2016 has also failed the constituents, government should change its mind set and bring in developments,” Kgaga lambasted.
Boyei councillor Ntlogelang Kebonyekgotla also shared the same sentiments noting that though North West is among regions which generate a large amount of revenue it is however left behind in terms of development because government turns a blind eye when it comes to implementing projects in the district.
Councillor for Khwai/Mababe Kebareeditse Ntsogotho who also complained about government’s commitment to project implementation highlighted maintenance of the buffalo fence which he said was included in the previous plan but was not financed.
Meanwhile Toteng/Komana councillor Zahorerua Maoveka has however expressed concern that the draft plan was more based in brining developments to Maun leaving out villages out of the tourism capital. Moaveka highlighted that developments such as internal roads and street light installations are only found in Maun even though surrounding villages are also equally in need of such developments.
Some of the DDP 9 proposed projects includes the expansion of Maun landfill comprising of replacement of plant equipment, waste recycling drops off centre and waste management equipment with an estimated cost of around P92,2000,00.00 as well as restoration and electrification of the cordon fence at an estimated amount of P30,000,000.00.
