24 Mar 2014

A cabinet memorandum on the affirmative action framework for remote area dweller communities was presented to cabinet after circulation to other ministries, but was returned for further interrogation by the Rural Development Council (RDC) before re-submission to cabinet.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele said all sectors and ministries had been consulted and made their submissions. He added that the ministry was now ready to re-submit it to the RDC and thereafter to cabinet for final consideration.

He said following the incorporation of the RDC into his ministry, the position of coordinator of rural development responsible for among others remote area development was pegged at deputy permanent secretary level.

In this regard, he said, the position of coordinator, remote area development programme was at deputy director level in line with its job description.

The MP for Gaborone South, Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi had asked the minister to give an update on progress made in the affirmative action framework for remote area dwellers and why the coordinator of the rural area development programme was headed by a person who was not at deputy permanent secretary level contrary to what was said by the President in his State-of-the-Nation-Address. Ends