Keto Segwai
14 March 2008
Gaborone — The Ngwato Land Board team charged with carrying out Mmamabula Energy Project (MEP) valuations was given a rare practical lecture on productivity by an affected farmer on Monday.
The team is currently assessing fields, boreholes and cattle posts in the Mmamabula area. Apparently, it had initially arranged to assess Kennedy Mmopi's borehole and tshimo (field) at 8am on Monday. But the team could only pitch-up well after 10am and this did not amaze the farmer.
Mmopi queried the team's late coming, charging that the public service, particularly the land board officials tend to take people for granted. The land board officials tried to explain that they had a revised visitation schedule, which now indicated they were going to start their sessions at the Palla Road kgotla. It appears that the revision had not been communicated to the affected farmers.
Mmopi explained to the officials that he had to take time-off from his work and travel to the agreed site on time. He bluntly told the land board officials to set up another appointment, as he had to return to his work and diabetic diet. As the officials plan a return trip, it will ultimately be the taxpayer who foots the bill. The land board appears not to be alone in the business of shabbily treating clients. An encounter with a proud owner of the only eatery in the Mmaphasalala/Mookane belt proved this point. These villages are not transit points and hence there are hardly any take-aways or establishments serving fast-foods. A visit to the only hot-tin take-away in central Mookane proved disastrous. The young man behind the counter informed a potential client rather unwelcomingly that the only available dish is a mixture of an ox-head and some beef cuts. "Can I take a peek?" requested the client who was told in no uncertain terms that: "nama e ga e bonwe, o odara hela". As I beat an undignified retreat I felt pity for the young businessman wondering whether he will be able to parry the imminent stiff business competition that is to accompany the development of the multi-billion Mmamabula Energy Project. I wish he would have time to adapt to the principles of good customer services.
Unlike the land board that enjoys unfettered access to public coffers to cover for its ineptitude, the young businessman will be exposed to the vicious market forces that dominate the service industry.
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