Mohloai Mpesi
The government spent M500,000 to purchase flowers for the 2024-2025 fiscal period as part of its efforts to refurbish Mpilo Boulevard, parliament heard on Thursday.
Democratic Congress (DC) proportional representative legislator, ‘Mabafokeng Mpobole, had asked the Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, Lebona Lephema, to provide information about the Mpilo Boulevard refurbishment project.
Ms Mpobole’s question was answered during Parliament’s question and answer session on Thursday.
The outspoken Ms Mpobole, who serves as the DC’s deputy secretary-general, wanted to know the amount spent on paving the medians with bricks, the cost of removing the bricks, the reason for their removal, the ministry’s plan for the removed bricks, and where they are being stored.
She also inquired about the funds used to plant flowers, shrubs or trees on the medians, and who was responsible for their care and upkeep.
In response, Leader of the House, Deputy Prime Minister Nthomeng Majara, stated that the overall refurbishment of the Boulevard cost M500,000.
Deputy Prime Minister Majara informed the National Assembly that a total of 30 labourers had been employed for a duration of two months, each receiving M1200 for their work in removing bricks and planting trees and flowers along the road.
She indicated that approximately M500,000 was allocated for the planting of flowers, the removal of paving bricks, the transportation of these bricks to Maseru West for storage, and the wages of the temporary labourers.
The responsibility for the maintenance of the plants and trees lies with the Maseru City Council (MCC), Ms Majara said.
Furthermore, she noted that around M72,000 was expended specifically for the removal of paving bricks at Mpilo Boulevard, with the majority of the funds directed towards the allowances for the 30 temporary labourers employed for two months, each receiving M1200.
While Ms Majara was unable to provide additional specifics due to the unavailability of the contract related to the Mpilo Boulevard construction, she mentioned that the Boulevard was built over 25 years ago, hence the contract was not retrievable from government records.
“The Mpilo Boulevard was constructed more than 25 years ago, around the year 2000, under a design and build contract that encompassed various components, including the road median paving. Currently, we are facing challenges in determining the cost of the median paving from that time, as the ministry continues to search for the contract,” Ms Majara explained.
“Should it be located, it will be presented to this esteemed assembly. The records have become difficult to trace due to the passage of time. Therefore, I kindly request that this inquiry be postponed once more while we continue our search for the aforementioned contract.”
Ms Majara further elaborated that the bricks were currently stored at the MCC warehouse located in Maseru West, and that the Boulevard had been enhanced to conform to the standards expected of a Boulevard, which included the presence of tree lines and floral arrangements.
“The machinery utilized for this project is owned by the MCC. Although the paving bricks remain in good condition, it is essential for Mpilo, as a Boulevard, to adhere to the typical specifications that include trees and/or flowers positioned either on both sides or along the central pavements,” she stated.
“The paving bricks are housed at the Maseru City Council facilities in the Sampokana Area of Maseru West and will be deployed for Council infrastructure projects as required,” she added.
Furthermore, she explained that, “The bricks have not been utilized since their removal from the Boulevard or the pavement. They are stored as part of the MCC’s assets, and an inventory can be made available.”
However, Ms Mpobole expressed her dissatisfaction regarding the lack of a satisfactory response to her inquiry, particularly where DMP Majara indicated that the contract could not be located.
The DC lawmaker was particularly frustrated that her question had been postponed numerous times in parliament, to the extent that it had received three stars, signifying that it could no longer be deferred.
Ms Mpobole felt that despite having sufficient time to conduct research, the local government ministry had failed to provide a comprehensive answer.
“This question has been postponed repeatedly, and I had anticipated that all inquiries would be addressed. At what point does a question require such an extended period to receive a response, only to return without a complete answer?” she remarked as a supplementary question.
In response, Ms Majara stated, “The ministry is still in the process of locating the contract, which is the reason for the delay in providing an answer.”
Still seemingly dissatisfied, Ms Mpobole reiterated her concerns regarding the ministry’s decision to prioritize the Boulevard, questioning why this choice was made when the roads leading to the villages across Lesotho remained in poor condition.
“Is it appropriate for the ministry to prioritize planting flowers while the village roads are in disrepair and have not been renovated, while instead, you focus on refurbishing a pavement that is already in good condition? Even in Maseru, the roads are in a state of disrepair,” Ms Mpobole remarked.
In response, Ms Majara explained that the refurbishment of the Boulevard was undertaken to meet the specific standards associated with such thoroughfares and to enhance the town’s appeal to tourists by ensuring it was clean and aesthetically pleasing.
“A Boulevard typically features trees along its sides or in the centre, which is essential for fulfilling the criteria of a Boulevard. Additionally, this initiative aims to revitalize the Maseru city, making it more attractive to visitors with its beauty and cleanliness. It is important to note that other roads are also significant and remain on the ministry’s priority list,” Ms Majara stated.
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