Red tape denies Rasesa Primary School a lifetime opportunity
Dikarabo Ramadubu BG reporter
Government red tape has effectively blocked the construction of a modern water system ablution facility block at Rasesa Primary School.
Just like in many villages the pupils currently use pit latrines. The facility was to be built by Khato Civils under their Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR) to the four Kgatleng villages – Leshibitse, Artesia, Rasesa and Bokaa.
Khato Civils is currently constructing the P781 million 83 kilometres water pipeline from Masama to Mmamashia, which passes through these villages. The company has through dikgosi employed 400 residents of the four villages. Following the award of the tender and a series of consultative meetings which started at Mochudi main Kgotla and later in the respective four villages, Khato offered additional CSR projects in each of the four villages.
Speaking to Botswana Guardian, Kgosi Letshwenyo Rasesa of Rasesa said they met Khato this week and settled for a potter cabin which will be used at the clinic for COVID- 19 testing. Their intial plan, however, was to build modern ablution facilities at the primary school since pupils are still using pit latrines. “Although there was an issue of high pricing, what prevented us from going ahead is that the school premises belong to the local authority and approval was rather taking too long as they had to go through the bureaucratic red tape to resolve outstanding technical issues such as the design”.
Kgosi Mooketsi Kgotlele of Leshibitse on the other hand hailed Khato for their generosity following the company’s commitment to build a modern three bedroom house with electricity and water for a disadvantaged resident who is currently living with 14 children, including grandchildren in a dilapidated tent. According to Kgosi Tlhwane of Artesia, Khato Civils will fence all wards in Artesia. Khato will also build a washing basin station at the cemetery for mourners to comply with COVID- 19 protocols when they bury their loved ones. Kgosi Sue Mosinyi of Bokaa is not only happy that the project will bring water to his village, but is elated that Khato has demonstrated its commitment to the people of Bokaa.
“We have agreed that they will build a roofed assembly point at Tlhaakgame primary school and we are looking forward to the day they start the project”, he said. Speaking to Botswana Guard
at the site, Khato Chairman, Simbi Phiri said he is happy with the progress as they have completed all the 65 water chambers - a key component of the project. Phiri said so far they have completed trenching except in places where the pipelines cross over the main highway. This week they envisage completing the laying of pipes in the three kilometres rock stretch where they had to not only blast but also use technical expertise to meet the required height of the pipeline. Phiri said so far they have laid pipes on the 40 kilometres stretch and will finish the remaining part when they resume business in January.