19 Jun 2013

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi has encouraged residents of Block 3 in his constituency to utilise the poverty eradication programme to diversify the economy.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in the area on Monday, MP Mmolotsi said the programme's alternative packages such as salons and bakery could be used to diversify the economy. He noted that the country’s economy had been dependent on the diamond and beef industries, which he said were faced with challenges.

He explained that diamonds were losing value while the beef industry was faced with challenges such as the frequent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks. On other issues, the MP said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development procured 30 000 blankets at the cost of P6.4 million for destitute elders.

He said of the 30 000 blankets, 400 would be allocated to Francistown to be distributed among the three constituencies. Mr Mmolotsi informed the residents that more than 19 000 radios were bought by the same ministry and about 97 radios would be allocated to the destitute elders in his constituency.

Concerning plot allocation, the Francistown South legislator said 2000 plots were availed for allocation. He said 43 plots out of the 2 000 would be set aside for the Somerset East residents who would be relocated to pave way for the Tonota/Francistown road construction.

He informed residents that as a way of improving refuse collection, private vehicles would be used at the rate of P35 per household. As such, he encouraged the residents to approach the city council to find out how they could be part of the arrangement.

Ms Jester Makopola said though backyard gardens were a good initiative, it was costly to maintain the gardens due to high water bills.

She therefore called on the city council to put in place laws that would penalise those who failed to look after their domestic animals saying these “animals destroy  the  gardens.” ENDS