25 Mar 2014

The Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri has expressed disappointment over constant delays in implementation of the poverty eradication programme in the Kweneng District.

Speaking during a series of kgotla meetings addressed in Ngware and Botlhapatlou recently, Mr Matlhabaphiri said the problem of poor implementation persisted despite numerous complaints raised by residents.

“Over the past three years, each of the eight constituencies in Kweneng was allocated P2 million. We are worried that most of the funds are still being returned to us and not being used for what they were intended for,” he said.

During meetings in the two villages, it emerged that there was only one leather works project that was operational at Botlhapatlou, while many other projects were still awaiting delivery of equipment.

Mr Matlhabaphiri, who is also Member of Parliament for Molepolole North, said he wondered why there seemed to be a problem of implementation in Kweneng when the Ipelegeng programme was running smoothly in most areas in the country.

The minister was on a review tour of Ipelegeng projects to address issues related to poverty eradication, registration of the disabled and HIV/AIDS.

Mr Matlhabaphiri also raised concerns about the poor condition of the Botlhapatlou/Ngware road and promised to take up the matter with the relevant ministry.

Meanwhile, assistant council secretary for Letlhakeng Sub-district, Ms Ekannamang Ramasimong told the minister that the council planned to renovate schools in the district through the poverty eradication programme.

This was after Mr Matlhabaphiri urged officials to use the programme for sustainable projects that could bring developments instead of using it just for cutting grass.

One of the residents, Matshwenyego Kgosietsile from Botlhapatlou complained that delayed action by officers results in many Batswana losing out on opportunities to benefit from assistance programs.

“We are greatly disadvantaged by such delays. For example, delayed payments result in suppliers of small stock somersaulting on their initial promises to supply poverty eradication beneficiaries,” she said.

However, an official from the Veterinary Department, Mr Keinyatse, explained that sometimes delays are caused by shortage of transport. Ends