23 Mar 2017

Four nominated beneficiaries from Xai-Xai in the Ngamiland region who went to India for a short course on basic installation of solar system have completed their course and returned home.

The beneficiaries went to India in September 2016 and that was a partnership between North West District Council, Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) and Indian government. 

The council chairperson, Mr Reaboka Mbulawa told councillors recently that the district with HRDC shall involve these trainees in a project that would keep them active in solar lighting and possibly team up with the council solar infrastructure maintenance team to maintain facilities.

On other issues, the house was informed that the Ministry of Basic Education had funded six schools in Okavango Sub-district being; Gani, Habu, Qangwa, Nxaunxau, Xai-Xai and Chukumuchu primary schools for solar photo voltaic power plant installation.

It was reported that the plant had been installed, tested and now lighting and the official hand over would be held in Xai-Xai by end of April.

Mr Mbulawa explained that education was the most critical component in the society, hence the need for proper school facilities to enhance learning among the students.  He commended the ministry for a job well done.

He also pointed out that the council was doing well in terms of service delivery to the community as they keep on improving as per the council secretary’s recent review report.

“This shows that with determination, we can achieve even more than this. We take the great achievement seen under the recent review being one of our best advances and the one that marks Team North West as a waking giant among other Local Authorities. It is well noticed that the 75 per cent mark that we attained under the Finance and Administration category as a council puts us in a better form to start marvelling at our reforms,” he added.

To address poverty eradication holistically, the district is embarking on development of a Poverty Eradication Strategy and Implementation Plan in order to enhance implementation of Poverty Eradication Programme.

The council learnt that the strategy document is to craft a statement of intent to regroup and embark on a turnaround strategy to create wealth for the less fortunate in the community.

The main players include key government organisations, the community leadership structures, Faith Based Organisations, Civil Based Organisations, the business community, and more especially the beneficiaries of various empowerment programmes.

Regarding Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), the district was said to be on the right track as it did  not have  any outbreak in the last 18 months and farmers were urged to help the department in ensuring successful FMD vaccination campaigns.

On Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) issues, councillors were informed about the current ongoing project aimed to improve the low voltages experienced in Maun, and the resultant supply interruption affecting Sehithwa, Gumare and the surrounding villages.

This project is expected to improve quality and continuity of supply and the project has been scheduled to be completed in June 2017. Again the North West Grid Extension Project would be done in the next financial year as tenders for procurement of construction is floating, and would be closed on May 12.

Contractors are expected to be on site by October while compensation for the affected parties is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed by end of April. ENDS