15 Aug 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has encouraged Metsiaela residents to develop their agricultural lands in order to engage in productive agriculture.

President Khama, who was speaking on Wednesday August 13 in Letlhakane, said due to the population increase, it would no longer be easy to allocate agricultural lands in the future.

He said in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, land boards would no longer confiscate agricultural land for residential use, noting that the practice could jeopardise food production.

President Khama also urged residents to form syndicates and apply for boreholes, adding that the government would assist residents by installing engines in the boreholes.

President Khama also donated 53 blankets, 12 solar lamps, Bibles as well as two football kits and two balls.

The area Member of Parliament, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake said plans would be devised to see how the Metsiaela borehole could be repaired. 

For his part, the assistant council secretary, Mr Motshwariemang Matseka said the poverty eradication team in Letlhakane has resolved that those whose projects were far from the Water Utilities

Corporation pipeline would be given alternative packages.

Mr Matseka also said his office would decide on how best to assist residents who would like to benefit from LIMD as there were challenges of boreholes.  

He noted that Seasole Primary School was primarily built to admit Metsiaela ward learners.

The land board chairperson, Mr Gosalamang Goratwamang said all residential plots have been allocated in the village. 

However, he said there was an open space where they could be allocated plots.

He advised them to apply for borehole plots so that they could consider allocating them the adjacent land.

The Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Gorongwang Kitso had earlier highlighted challenges in sustaining poverty eradication projects such as backyard gardens due to shortage of water.

He also requested for a borehole in their area, saying there was lack of water for their small stock. In addition, Mr Kitso expressed concern about the shortage of farming land.

He also complained that their children were admitted at a school far from their area, adding that it exposed them to accidents since they had to cross a tarred road.

One of the residents, Mr Golatlhwamang Radikhudu complained that they have failed to meet LIMID requirements to rear small stock due to lack of boreholes in their area.

One youth representative, Mr Onkemetse Bashi requested a football kit and nets while another,  Ms Nkwetse Bareemetse complained that plot allocations in Metsiaela were stopped in 2009. 

She also complained that she was required to pay transport for the small stock she acquired through the poverty eradication programme. Ends