09 Nov 2015

The deputy Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson Mr Charles Mbova has praised poverty eradication projects in their village saying they have made a significant impact in their lives.

Mr Mbova said during a kgotla meeting in Mopipi addressed by the Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Dikgang Makgalemele. He cited such projects as small stock,  back yard garden, pottery and bakery have been accessed by Mopipi community.

Mr Mbova labelled tuckshops and textile projects as successful projects in their village whilst challenging projects were backyard garden and small stock.

He requested a programme that could be employed to buy donkeys and planters to enable them to plough. Mr Mbova expressed a grievous concern with regard to dilapidated furniture at Manthabakwe Primary School.

He also noted that there was shortage of nurses at Mopipi clinic saying there was only one nurse working night shift.  

He requested for another doctor who can work night shift saying the current one works day shift only. Mr Mbova requested a generator that could serve as back-up during power outages at the clinic.

Assistant Minister Makgalemele said he would take the planters and donkeys’ request to the relevant authorities.

He advised the residents to establish a community farm and request funds to buy  a tractor.

Mr Makgalemele said the issue of shortage of nurses at the clinic would also be taken to the relevant authorities.

He further informed the residents that government has committed itself to have eradicated abject poverty before the end of 2017.

He encouraged them to devise strategies that could be employed to eradicate poverty saying there were fifty-five programmes aimed at eradicating poverty.

Mr Makgalemele advised the residents against embarking on projects that are already existing. 

He urged the residents to work in joint cooperation to relieve their fellow members of community from poverty.

This he said could lead to a positive impact on the livelihoods of the community.

He expressed concern that Batswana were failing to take up government programmes saying there was need to establish the root cause.

While commenting Ms Shalulani complained she had applied for poverty eradication project and have since received a tent without chairs.

Mr Nkwana dismissed the department serving PWD’s in Boteti saying the service was poor. Another resident Mr Albert Kamukuru complained that people with hearing problem were not treated as PWD’s.

While Ms Itumeleng Thobogang said her eight year old child who could not  walk was denied proper services by the concerned office.

In response Mr Phinda Khame from office of People living with disabilities at Office of the President said deaf people were absorbed in  the organisations even in government institutions.

Mr Khame said he would hasten to address the issue of an eight year old child who could not walk.

He stated that people with albinism were treated as disabled people adding that coupons used by PWD’s for identification  on public transport were offered by health office.

The Assistant Council Secretary Mr Christopher Maramba acknowledged lack of furniture in schools stating that  P2.4 millions have been secured to purchase furniture in schools. Mr Maramba said the intention was to buy the furniture through selective tendering to ensure distribution before the end of 2015. Ends