30 Nov 2016

The Debswana Jwaneng Mine and government  through the district commissioner’s office have pull their resources together in enforcing preparedness for disaster in the district.
The two entities recently signed the Joint Disaster Management Plan (JDMP) which incorporated the government’s District Disaster Contingency Plan (DDCP) and the mine’s Emergency Preparedness Response Plan (EPRP).
Briefing full council meeting yesterday, the Jwaneng corporate affairs officer Mr Rebaone Tswiio said the deputy district commissioner Ms Kolobetso Sejakgomo and the mine general manager Mr Albert Milton had approved and signed the plan to ensure effectiveness in response to disaster.
In the past, the two entities worked separately to address issues of disaster in the mining town. The DDCP was a government plan while the EPRP addressed preparedness of disaster inside the mine only.
Mr Tswiio said the plan explained the role of each stakeholder and what was expected from them in times of disaster.
He said during merging of the two plans, they invited all the relevant stakeholders from the government and the mine to ensure  inclusiveness and thoroughness.
“The document also entails the type of disasters that are likely to happen in our area and surrounding villages that will need our collective attention,” he said.
Mr Tswiio said they agreed at a committee level that they should refresh the plan after every two years to ensure effectiveness .
He mentioned that it was every department’s responsibility to see to it that the plan was implemented and adhered to accordingly.
Councillor for Ngami ward Mr Bankinyana Montsiemang expressed gratitude to the joint efforts adding that, it would go a long way in assisting during unforeseen circumstances like floods and fire.
Since the plan covers Jwaneng and areas which are in the radius of 80km, Mr Montsiemang said the two entities should consider assisting other villages  which fell under Jwaneng /Mabutsane constituency.
Nomonated councillor Mr Benjamin Bakwena also pleaded with his fellow councillors to own the plan and see to it that it implemented successfully. ENDS