19 Nov 2015

The chairperson of the North East District Council, Ms Florah Mpetsane says since job creation is a priority for the government, the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) will help accelerate job creation.

Welcoming councillors at the beginning of the last session of council for year, Ms Mpetsane said the government came up with the programme to stimulate economic growth and promote economic diversification.  

 She said the programme would stimulate economic activities in all districts and would benefit all villages as well as complementing other economic empowerment programmes thus decreasing unemployment.

The chairperson implored councillors to play their role and to work as a team in ensuring that the ESP was successfully implemented.

Ms Mpetsane said there was need for councillors to ask themselves what they could do to create jobs for people in their communities.

 The council chairperson said she was happy that the North East District was doing its best to create jobs for the people through maintenance projects and the engagement of casual labourers and temporary employees.

On other issues relating to illegal immigrants, Ms Mpetsane expressed concern over the influx of illegal immigrants, saying it impacted negatively on developments since it was associated with criminal activities.

 She urged councillors to sensitise their communities on the importance of following proper channels in staying with foreigners.

Concerning the shortage of water in the district during the months of September and October, Ms Mpetsane attributed it to increased demand due to excessive temperatures.

She further said the shortage of water was also caused by shortage of electricity towards the end of October, adding that the problem was highlighted by a major pipe burst at the beginning of November.   

Ms Mpetsane updated the house on water levels in dams around the district, noting that as at October this year, Ntimbale Dam stood at 84 per cent capacity, Shashe Dam 80 per cent while Dikgatlhong stood at 75 per cent.

She noted that the water levels were enough to supply villages in the North East District for 15 consecutive months without any inflows.   Ends