13 Dec 2016

 Government is honest about any developmental challenges the country faces and can be trusted to work on finding solutions, the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu has said.

In his response to State-of-the-Nation Address in Parliament on December 8, Mr Batshu said President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama had expressed concern about the challenges the country faced.

“The President was very honest about the challenges we face as a nation. The address was an authentic assessment of both the successes and challenges we have. Such a government can be trusted to work on practical solutions to the nation’s problems,” Mr Batshu said.

He said unemployment and poverty were a reality.

Therefore, government was  working on improving areas that needed attention with the eleventh national development plan (NDP) due to make further improvement in people’s lives.

He lauded the President for mentioning the closure of the BCL mine and that government was exploring means to resuscitate economic activity in Selebi Phikwe.

“The former governor of the Bank of Botswana, Ms Linah Mohohlo has been appointed the coordinator of the Selebi Phikwe Economic Recovery Programme and she is someone who has a wealth of experience which will be used to investigate areas of reviving the economy of the town,” Mr Batshu said.

Kanye South legislator, Mr Abram Kesupile called for the availing of antenatal facilities in clinics is some of the smaller villages in his constituency, saying that some pregnant women have to travel long distances to access clinical care.

Mr Kesupile also decried the state of internal roads in Kanye and surrounding villages. He also urged the government to provide for people who care for those with disability.

For his part, Letlhakane-Lephephe MP, Mr Liakat Kablay expressed concern that villages in his constituency were underdeveloped.

Mr Kablay urged the government to work with stakeholders to return the Toyota 1000 Desert race to Mantshwabisi in his constituency, where he said the annual sporting event gained its popularity. ENDS