16 Jan 2017

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Slumber Tsogwane has informed residents of Mmadikola that poverty reduction has been achieved. Minister Tsogwane also Member of Parliament for Boteti West said that on January 13.

He noted that research has indicated that poverty was reduced during NDP10 by 6.4 per cent. Minister Tsogwane acknowledged that though NDP 10 realised a decline in economic growth, poverty reduction was achieved.

Therefore he said it was important to devise strategies that could diversify the economy. He stated that tourism was the most  effective strategy that could boost economic growth in a sustainable manner.

Mr Tsogwane indicated there was need to establish other strategies that could boost economic growth. He said dams should not only be used to supply water for household purposes, saying they could also be used for irrigation farming.

Farming he said should be considered as a business.

Minister Tsogwane added that there was need to conduct research and be innovative in different fields of work, devising strategies that could sustain the economy. Indigenous knowledge he said was valuable and could be blended into  today's technology to assist in research such as medical research.

He further indicated that health posts countrywide would be phased out by upgrading them to clinic standard with two nurses.

On other issues Makalamabedi, Xhumo, Moremaoto and Mopipi he said would  have police posts during NDP11. Subsidies for animal feeds he said have been stopped due to heavy rainfall.

Minister Tsogwane was responding to the village development committee chairperson who had requested upgrading of a health post to a clinic standard. He also complained that there was no water system in the clinic as they were using a pit latrine and a standpipe.

The VDC  chairperson also complained that there were no internal roads, calling for gravelling of roads. BOPA