14 Aug 2017

Kgosi Alphonse Nsala of Tutume has commended President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s government for improving the livelihoods of Batswana through different programmes.

He said this in his welcome remarks at a soup kitchen in Tutume on Thursday. Kgosi Nsala noted that government programmes such as poverty eradication had changed the lives of many Batswana who were living in poverty, adding that the Presidential Housing Appeal has also helped to shelter many families.

Such programmes, Kgosi Nsala said, had given beneficiaries dignity and hope despite their background.

Kgosi Nsala also commended government for the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) , saying as a constituency they had benefitted from it. He added that the construction of a new 72 bed hospital, internal roads and streets lights were in the pipeline among others.

He added that the developments were going to change the landscape of the village for the better and that it would benefit other surrounding villages.

Kgosi Nsala appealed to coordinators of the projects to ensure that they facilitated prompt implementation and monitoring so that they were completed within the stipulated time and within budget.

On other issues, Kgosi Nsala complained about the influx of elephants in the area, noting that they destroyed crops. He also noted that there was an invasion of a pride of lions which killed cattle, goats and donkeys.

He appealed to President Khama to request the minister responsible for wildlife to come and appreciate the extent of damage caused by the animals, adding that they were, however, determined to live with the animals provided they were given support by the ministry.

Responding to Kgosi Nsala’s update, President Khama said Parliament had approved additional funds for the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism to facilitate resources ranging from human resources and equipment to be used in monitoring the movement of wildlife.

Regarding infrastructure development, he said many more developments were still to come, citing the construction of a police station in Maitengwe.
Meanwhile, President Khama donated chairs, Bibles, football kits and solar lights and served soup to the elders and people living with disability.Ends