28 Jan 2016

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele has informed residents of Mathangwane that the backlog of poverty eradication projects would be cleared by the end of March this year.

 Speaking at a kgotla meeting in Mathangwane recently, Mr Makgalemele said they have instructed public servants to come up with reports of beneficiaries that were still on the waiting list to get packages. He noted that with a detailed list of beneficiaries, they would be able to tackle the delays so that by the end of the 2015/2016 financial year, everybody would have received their dues.

The assistant minister explained to residents that the government through the poverty eradication projects was aiming to fight poverty among Batswana.

 He further emphasised that there should be commitment on the part of beneficiaries so that the intended goal could be achieved, adding that they have to come up with different packages so that people could have a choice. 

Earlier when briefing the assistant minister, the Village Development Committee (VDC) deputy chairperson, Mr Charles Kebarakile commended the government for the poverty eradication projects. He said most of them were doing well in his village, adding that it was through the good working relationship they have with public servants.

Mr Kebarakile informed the assistant minister that since the beginning of the year, they have already had several meetings which focused on project management and monitoring in the village. Furthermore, he highlighted that in December last year, their village was affected by heavy storms.

He said through the help they got from public servanst, many affected households were assisted on time.

On other issues, he said they have learned about Botswana Telecommunication Corporation Limited (BTCL) shares, and that they too were interested in buying them.

He appealed to authorities from the company to come and explain what it entails to own shares in the company.

In response, Mr Makgalemele commended the relationship prevailing between residents and public servants, adding that the good relations was imperative because there would be progress in village developments.

He added that public officers were custodians of government programmes and that they should be up to the task of serving the public.

Mr Makgalemele stressed that when concerns were raised, civil servants should view them as feedback which would help them to improve service delivery. Ends