MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: The North West Department of Human Settlements led by MEC Gaoage Oageng Molapisi continues in its quest to unblock blocked projects across the province.
This was testament during the recent Thuntsha Lerole Accelerated Service Delivery Programme at Maquassie Hills Local Municipality where the department handed over four houses to beneficiaries. Eighty-four (84) year-old Lydia Mere is one of the beneficiaries who received keys to the newly built house. Lydia hails from the Soutpan farms, but has been living in Maquassie township for more than thirty years. She is currently staying with her son and husband and the family survives on her old age pension since no one in the house is employed. “This is one of the best days of my life, I was beginning to worry that I may depart from this world without having a proper house. This is a legacy for my children,” said Mere.
Another beneficiary who moved into their house was 63-year-old Keletsame Serape who was born and raised in Leeubos farm outside Wolmaranstad. He moved to Lebaleng with his family in the past ten years. Keletsame and his wife are happy that they are now living in a proper and decent house.
Handing over the houses, Molapisi urged the beneficiaries to look after their houses and to use them for their intended purposes. MEC also spoke against the abandonment of projects by contractors calling for termination of those that are not or underperforming. He said this act institutes a major setback in the department’s mandate of providing houses to communities and it should be taken into serious consideration.
Molapisi further said that the department would assess the projects to determine what level of intervention is required to ensure the completion of the projects going forward.
In addition, MEC Molapisi visited two elderly families in Tswelelang location to present them with their title deeds. The other eight title deeds out of the total of 1 170, were handed over during the feedback session to their rightful beneficiaries. The remaining title deeds will be issued to the beneficiaries by the Maquassie Hills Local Municipality.
The MEC said the responsibility of government is to ensure that the elderly, child-headed families and disabled people are prioritised and their dignity is restored as it is stipulated in the Bill of Rights that all humans have the right to decent houses or living environments.
He was joined by MEC for Social Development, Basetsana Sussana Dantjie who donated food parcels to the families. The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism also planted trees for the beneficiaries, adding to the greening campaign by the Department of Human Settlements.
The Department of Human Settlements remains committed to unblocking blocked projects across the province. This, according to the department, may be happening while the department was encountering budget cuts from treasury. However the department said that it will prioritise the said challenges and deliver as mandated.
