26 Aug 2015

Upgrading of the road that connects Motlopi and Makalamabedi has been included in the National Development Plan (NDP) 11.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said this when responding to comments from residents during a kgotla meeting. Residents wanted to know when the road would be tarred.

He said the road was long over due for tarring noting that currently the road has been awarded to a private contractor to gravel it and make it passable. He also indicated that the Department of Roads had been allocated funds to purchase graders with a view to grade all roads which are not tarred.

Mr Tsogwane explained that NDP10 had many projects which were delayed to be implemented hence a decision to extend the plan with a year. 

He said NDP11 would be implemented next year April and urged residents to be patient.

The minister described the drought situation as severe as big dams were drying up. He also revealed that the government was aware of low yield production due to the shortage of rainfall during this ploughing season.

He said in that regard, a drought assessment exercise was carried to assess the situation and the government came up with some interventions to reduce the impact on the communities.

Some of the interventions, he mentioned included payment of 85 per cent of the 2014/15 seasonal loans to farmers by government while the ministry of Agriculture has to be provide 25 per cent subsidy to farmers’ feed.

In addition, he said through Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, a second meal would be provided at primary schools in RAD Settlements and in the Okavango. 

He added that a double food ration for vulnerable groups (Under 5, 5-6 years, TB outpatients, lactating and expectant mothers) countrywide would be provided.

Mr Tsogwane also told residents that Ministry of Minerals Energy and Water Resources would provide funds for emergency water supply projects to augment the human current water supply situation.

On other issues, the minister pleaded with the residents not to kill the wild animals as they played an important role in the tourism industry that contributed significantly to the economy of the country. Earlier on, residents complained about wild animals that destroyed their crops especially elephants, which worsened their production to the lowest.

They said the drought situation had forced wild animals to seek water and pasture close to the village where most fields were situated. They also complained about the newly constructed buffer zone that divides Hainavelt farms and the communal area noting that the fence had taken part of their grazing land.

Kgosi Keneilwe Mokgweetsi of Makalamabedi raised a concern about the slow implementation of poverty eradication projects. He said there was a delay in delivering materials to the beneficiaries.

He also welcomed the upgrading of the road noting that it would boost the local economy as some public transport from Gaborone would pass via Makalamabedi to Maun.

Responding to some comments raised by residents, an official from department of Wildlife and National Parks, Mr Khura Nato said they were aware of the animals destroying farmers’ crops, adding that they were doing all they could to safeguard against the destruction. Ends