28 Mar 2013

Departments charged with procurement of goods and services have been urged to fully support the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) initiative by buying local products.

In the same vein though, small businesses have to be up to the game and provide quality goods and services said Chobe District Council chairperson Mr Mwanota Kachana.

 “For the financial year 2012/2013, Chobe District Council procurement figures amount to a total of P32 431 244 with only P8 222 037 awarded to local suppliers,” Mr Kachana said.

He noted that purchases of goods and services outside Chobe were higher than they wished for.

“It is a challenge; on the other hand it can also be regarded as an opportunity for locals to venture into different business opportunities,” he explained.

Mr Kachana told the council that close to P1.8 million of the P8 million awarded to local suppliers were purchases from youth entrepreneurs.

He noted the figures were an indication that youth entrepreneurs should be supported more to help them sustain their businesses and create job opportunities for other youth.

“Open market days and round tables if put to proper use can assist the district to realise the objectives of the Economic Diversification Drive,” he noted.

Since this was the first full council session of 2013, the council reviewed the 2012/ 2013 financial year activities, programmes, policies and projects.

The council chairperson said completed projects in the district included gravelling of 10km and 5km internal roads for Kazungula and Lesoma respectively, provision of street lighting at Plateau, Kasane and Kazungula, as well as maintenance of Kachikau and Chobe community junior secondary schools.

Ongoing projects included resealing of Pandamatenga and Kazungula-Ngoma roads, Kasane airport improvement, and construction of Nata/Kazungula Road, construction of Seboba Nature and Recreational Park, power reticulation in Kasane, Plateau and Kazungula and the construction of 20 destitute houses.

“All these ongoing projects will form part of the annual Development Plan for 2013/ 2014 financial year. No new development projects will be undertaken due to inadequate funding,” Mr Kachana said.

On other issues, he noted there was lack of commitment among beneficiaries, namely the needy, destitute persons and orphans who he said were not embracing the opportunity to own projects.

Mr Kachana also stated that the district now had 822 beneficiaries following enrollment of an additional 21 during this financial year. ENDS