24 Nov 2015

Bobirwa Sub-council chairman, Mr Nathaniel Moribame, says the recently introduced Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) is a robust action plan to promote economic diversification and accelerate job creation.

Speaking during the fourth sub-council session, Mr Moribame said ESP would be coordinated by the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Mr Moribame, also councillor for Molalatau, stated that the programme had identified key areas as manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure such as roads, and backlog eradication.

The chairman also briefed the councillors about the calamity that befell Bobonong on November 19 when a heavy storm destroyed homes, businesses and government institutions.

He said there were two confirmed deaths as a result of the calamity.

A seven-year-old child of Mabumahibidu ward died after the wall collapsed on him while a 69-year-old woman of Borotsi died as a result of shock.

There were six minor injuries. The hardest hit area was Rasetimela ward followed by Borotsi and Mabumahibidu, adding that 346 homes, 10 businesses and 40 government houses were affected.

He commended the district administration and senior assistant council secretary for working tirelessly to assist those who required relief such as food, shelter and clothes.

The chairman said the sub-council had managed to construct 12 houses for destitute and Rural Areas Dwellers Programme at a tune of P2 million within schedule and had been handed over to beneficiaries.

Construction in the Bobonong infrastructural development project was at 87 per cent, which put them one week behind the schedule.

On another development, deputy district commissioner, Mr Mooketsi Lesetedi, told the council that the heavy storm affected almost everyone in Bobonong including the civil servants.

The District Disaster Management Committee recorded 171 damaged houses in Rasetimela ward, 85 in Borotsi, 70 in Mabumahibidu, 23 houses in Mosweu ward, 40 government houses and 10 businesses.

Mr Lesetedi said those that required assistance with food or shelter were 93.

Those that required food were 55, victims that needed shelter were 10 and 31 victims required both food and shelter, he stated.

Government, he said, spent P265 on those affected as well as the area Member of Parliament Mr Shaw Kgathi who donated blankets, businesspeople also contributed.

He said government has also extended a helping hand assist with burial costs for the two people that lost their lives. Ends