13 Mar 2017

 President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has promised to dispatch a team to Matebele to assess how their concerns for the need of a bridge and a road could be addressed.

Speaking during an interaction session with residents at Matebele Kgotla on Saturday, President Khama said as a democratic government, they had an obligation to listen to people’s concerns, hence the need to dispatch a team to check how residents could be assisted to ease movement to Oodi where they got most of the services.

He however, said it must be noted that developments were done according to National Development Plans (NDPs) and had been briefed by the district commissioner that the P20 million needed for the construction of the bridge could not be accommodated in the current national developmental plan due to financial constraints.

President Khama said the water melons given to him were a sign that farmers utilised the recent good rains which improved production at the lands and should see many being able to put food on the table.

In his welcome speech, Kgosi Bethuel Ndaba commended the President’s leadership in guiding the nation by calling all to pray during draught saying God heeded the nation’s prayers and it rained across the country.

He commended government for acceding to residents’ calls to increase police personnel to combat the ever increasing criminal activities in the village which had been fueled by the village’s proximity to the capital city.

He said the increase in personnel would lead to 24 hour police visibility.

On other issues, he pleaded with government to consider constructing a bridge across the river which during the rainy season cut them away from Oodi village where they got most of their daily critical services.

He also called for the road to Oodi which was in bad state to be tarred.

For his part, area counsellor, Mr Modise Ncube applauded President Khama for the visit and donating to the elderly and the less fortunate.

He said though the visit was about interacting with a particular target group, it may assist in bringing developments needed by residents.

He reiterated the need for a bridge and tarred road which he said contributed to poor results at Oodima Junior Secondary School as students missed classes during the rainy season.

President Khama donated solar powered lights, food hampers to the less fortunate, blankets to the elderly, chairs, sweets to children and Bibles to assist in spreading the gospel. ENDS