06 Apr 2017

The number of individuals who are targeted through Poverty Eradication Programme are 140 000 of the population who lived in abject poverty as per the 2010, Botswana Core Welfare Indicators report.

The Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale said according to the criteria used in the programme, these individuals were to be mobilised, assessed, trained and provided with different packages.

The minister said since inception in 2010 to date, 100 680 beneficiaries have been mobilised while 86 254 were assessed out of which 51 470 qualified for the programme.

He further said the programme targets categories of people who earn P300 and below, and that it further targets people who were in need of basic social amenities as well as basic housing structures.

Mr Molale noted that “it is not possible to provide the total income from Poverty Eradication Programme because the purpose of the programme is to address individual needs and provide a dignified life for them as well as to ensure that their livelihoods are uplifted.”

“Government is ensuring that products from various programmes are produced through Economic Diversification Drive (EDD).

This assured market aims to make projects more sustainable and to aid beneficiaries to graduate out of poverty,” he said.

The MP for Jwaneng-Mabutsane, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile had asked the minister to state the number of individuals who were targeted through the Poverty Eradication Programme, categories of beneficiaries and the total income expected from such programmes. ENDS