05 Jul 2015

In a bid to take services to the people, the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has opened a Civil and National Registration office in Nata. 

Speaking at the official opening of the office recently in Nata, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu said the facility was the 36^th of its kind in the country, and exists to address complaints by Nata/Gweta residents who were previously served by the Sowa Town office. 

He said residents complained that travelling to Sowa was a challenge since there was no public transport linking Nata to Sowa Town.

And with the constituency surrounded by several settlements, which are also faced with transport challenges, he said many residents failed to get proper national documents such as identity cards and birth certificates for their children. 

Mr Batshu said although they work hard to take services to the people, many still do not utilise their offices. He observed that there were elderly people who do not have identity documents, especially those working at cattle posts. 

He blamed their employers, saying they should ensure that their employees have all their documents in order when they employ them. The minister cautioned that without proper documents, one could not access government services and benefits. 

Furthermore, Mr Batshu asserted that despite sensitising the public about birth and death registration, Batswana were still reluctant to use the service. 

He said this affects government planning. 

He advised parents to take advantage of his ministry’s ongoing national campaign to get birth certificates for their children.

For his part, Kgosi Rebagamang Rancholo of Nata said they welcome the development with open arms. He appealed to the people of Nata/Gweta to make use of the office. ENDS