13 Mar 2017

Funds to construct the Gaborone Transfer Station under National Development Plan (NDP) 11 have been approved said Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso in Parliament on Thursday.

She told Parliament that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development worked jointly with other stakeholders from Sustainable Environment Technical Working Group of NDP11 to prepare strategies and programmess that will promote sustainable waste management during NDP 11.

Thus an elaborate budget was submitted which included funding the construction of new landfills and the maintenance of existing landfill facilities countrywide amongst many other submissions but funds were approved only for the construction of the Gaborone Transfer Station.

She noted that due to budgetary constraints the Ministry recognizes the need to engage other Ministries, the private sector, civil society and development partners so that they become actively involved in assisting or partnering with Local Authorities to ensure sustainable waste management is achieved during NDP11.

The minister was responding to a question from Specially Elected Member of Parliament Mr Mephato Reatile who wanted to know how the ministry intends to develop waste management infrastructure in the country during NDP11 as nothing much is provided in the plan other than the Establishment of Gaborone Transfer Station.B ENDS