07 Jun 2016

Government is determined to end extreme poverty by December 2017.Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele, told Bobirwa Sub-district councillors on Monday, that Nyeletso Lehuma programme was made to intensify efforts to eradicate abject poverty.

He said in 2012, government came up with complimentary measures of eradicating poverty with the Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi as the lead agent of the programme.

He stated that the progamme had subcommittee chaired by the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Eric Molale made of six assistant ministers.

Mr Makgalemele expressed delight that across the political structures there was commitment to eradicate abject poverty.

He said one of the strategies that could be applied to fight poverty was through encouraging people especially students to take education seriously, which he said was a weapon to graduate from poverty.

Inspite of the programme to help people, he said the programme faced challenges.Such included time taken to assess beneficiaries, poor monitoring and mentoring, failure to supply beneficiaries with equipment upon completion of orientation but the ministry has trained social workers specifically for the programme to speed up the process.

The ministry also appointed two consultants to conduct technical training and that beneficiaries should be provided with packages immediately upon completion of the orientation.The changes come about after some beneficiaries had to wait for a long time to be provided with their packages.

The assistant minister appealed to civic and religious organisation to help government reach the target of helping needy people.He said Bobirwa had an advantage because it had adequate ground water that could be harvested for farming purposes.

Botswana, he said, still imported about 124 items from outside and advised Batswana to come up with ventures that create employment opportunities.

The assistant minister also briefed councillors about the ten-point agenda in which government wanted to improve service delivery in the public service.

Mr Makgalemele told the councillors that people-living-with-disabilities should  be assisted and given priority where possible.

Councillors commended the assistant minister's visit to the area. Councillor for Mmadinare South Mr Moses Seeletso said assessment seemed to be secretive while deserving people were left behind.

His counterpart Mr Mootlana Tshebedi of Mathathane was concerned by the poor service from the switchboard operators and appealed to ministers to look into the issue where some civil servants have turned into 'civil masters'.

Ms Banabotlhe Mothaba of Mmadinare/Damochujena appealed that mentally challenged people should t also be looked into as in some instances were left behind. ENDS