07 Jun 2015

Okavango Community Trust (OCT) board members have been advised to use the trust to come up with projects at their respective villages.

Responding to complaints from Gudigwa, Beetsha, Eretsha and Beetsha residents during kgotla meetings recently, Okavango MP, Mr Bagalatia Arone said board members should come up with ideas that could help develop their villages.

“It is disheartening to see Okavango villages complaining of lack of developments while their trust is raising a lot of money annually,’’ he said.

Mr Arone stressed the need for cooperation and consultation amongst the communities and board members concerning developments at their villages.

Furthermore, he advised them to have an annual plan on how they were going to implement projects at their respective villages so as to create jobs and improve the lives of locals.

He said the trust could renovate or construct new buildings such as schools, clinics, kgotla offices and shelters in villages.

The MP also urged the community to seek advise from public servants if they have challenges on how to manage funds.

Earlier, residents complained that board members do not come up with projects in their villages and also accused them of enriching themselves with the money.

One resident, Mr Morgan Motswana complained that residents of Gudigwa do not benefit from the trust.

He said since the trust constructed a Curio shop in the village some years ago, there has not been any other project. He requested that they be allocated their own land at NG 13.  Mr Mpihelang Kangara of Eretsha requested the MP to meet the board members concerning the use of the trust funds.

The trust was formed in 1996 and is made up of the villages of Gudigwa, Beetsha, Eretsha, Gunotsoga and Seronga. ENDS