Quthing, August 28 — The Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship, Mr. Nkhethoa Seetsa, on Thursday met with Quthing district leaders at the Quthing Urban
Council Hall.
The meeting, which ended with a tour of ongoing district council rural road construction projects, was attended by senior officers from the Ministry, the District Administrator, the District Council Secretary, and councils’ chairpersons.
Addressing attendants at the event, Mr. Seetsa urged councillors to work together despite different political affiliations, respect each other’s opinions on community development, and remain committed to implementing community projects.
He stressed proper utilization and accountability of allocated funds, noting that projects should be visible to the public.
He said the District Administrator, as the central government’s overseer at district level, should monitor activities and get progress reports at sites working together with councillors and officers.
He emphasized that the district plan for road construction plant utilization should benefit all councils.
Minister of Local Government warned against situations where the plant and funds are tied to one project for many years while other councils have urgent road needs. He added that the plan should also include the Urban Council and provide for emergencies such as roads damaged by heavy rains.
He further said all road construction materials and yellow plant abandoned in different areas should be collected and redeployed, while maintenance measures for the plant should be carried out. He said the District Council should also consider plant hire to avoid delayed projects due to lack of resources.
Quthing District Administrator Mr. Bonang Tlali expressed gratitude for the Minister’s visit and pledged to follow up on ongoing projects and work closely with the District Council to ensure effective service delivery.
Acting Director General from the Ministry, Mr. Selebeli Mosola, said the meeting aimed to share information with council chairpersons on challenges hindering projects progress despite available funding. He said the meeting also sought ideas to address difficulties that lead to funds being returned to the central government while communities lack services.
Director of Planning in the Ministry, Mrs. ‘Malehana Letlema, said general funds allocated to the District Council, including the road fund, capital projects, and waste management, will continue to be released quarterly. This, she said, is to ensure accountability and to avoid funds returning to the central government or being misused.
She stressed the need for the District Council to plan together, request funds, ensure proper utilization, present reports, and then request further funding until the budget is fully used.
She added that if they perform well, they could even utilize unused funds from other districts to continue projects such as road construction.
Speaking on behalf of the Council Chairpersons, Mr. Kopanang Maramane, Chairperson of Telle Community Council, raised concern over road construction plans that remain in one community council for many years while others are in need of roads as well.
He appealed for waste management funds to be allocated to community councils, noting that solid waste management is also needed in commercial areas such as Mount Moorosi and Mphaki.
On behalf of Quthing Urban Council, Deputy Chair Mrs. ‘Malebohang Motlomelo appealed for consideration of Urban Council for access to the District Council’s road construction plant, saying roads in the urban areas are seriously damaged.
She further called on Local Government headquarters to consider quarterly release of waste management funds, since waste disposal in town is needed throughout the year, not quarterly.
After the meeting, the Minister, accompanied by Directors from the Ministry, the District Administrator, and the District Council Secretary, toured ongoing road construction projects at Ntho-Mphaphotha in Tosing community council and Seforong–Litšoeneng in Mphaki community council.
A similar meeting has been held in Qacha’s Nek and will continue in all districts across the country before the 2026/27 financial year budget commences in September.
Ends/NS
