07 Mar 2016

 

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Slumber Tsogwane has launched the Citizen Dialogue Project which is intended to empower and develop communities especially those in remote areas. 

The Citizen Dialogue is a platform where communities are given a chance to have a say on the developments they want to see in their respective settlements. The launch was held in New Xade under theme, A Key for Sustainable Development.

When elaborating on the importance of the programme, Minister Tsogwane said the Government of Botswana is fully committed to intensive implementation of programmes and projects that provide and formulate equal opportunities for the remote areas communities.

He continued by saying, the government approved the Affirmative Action Framework for Remote Areas Communities in 2014 and it will run for a term of ten years from 2015 to 2025.

Minister Tsogwane said the Citizen Dialogue will provide a platform through which the gallant intention of the government will be achieved. He explained that dialoguing on government programmes will enhance ownership of the programmes by the communities as it also provides feedback to government on the implementation challenges.

He called out all the communities to embrace the concept when rolled out to them in the near future. 

 Community representative Mr Samuel Legora said the Citizen Dialogue focuses on consultation between the government and the people on initiatives and developments they want in their communities. He said the consultation should start from the roots up wards not government imposing the development they do not want as the community. 

Mr Legora encouraged the government to monitor the projects given to the beneficiaries of government programmes like, Poverty Eradication and Rural Areas Development Programmes.    

The official launch of Citizen Dialogue Project in New Xade is a collaboration between the Gantsi District Council and Ale Municipality in Sweden, aiming at instilling a sense of ownership among the Gantsi communities. ENDS