07 Sep 2017

The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) educational portal which was launched at Maun Public Library on September 4 is expected to increase the relevance of Maun Public Library to its clientele.

Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Culture and Sports Development, permanent secretary, Mr Kago Ramokate said libraries countrywide were challenged with the quality and relevance of content for their communities.

“The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission is an agreement of 1994 between Angola, Namibia and Botswana signed to provide advice to the three countries about the best ways to share the Okavango River’s resources.

Okavango River begins in Angola, where it is known as the Cubango (Kubango) River, in Namibia as Kavango and in Botswana as Okavango,” stated Mr Ramokate.

The educational portal on OKACOM was officially handed by the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services deputy permanent secretary, Mr Thatayaone Dedede at Maun Public Library in Maun.

Mr Ramokate therefore said the OKACOM educational portal launch was commendable as it would ensure locals especially communities in the North West region were knowledgeable about the Okavango Delta and the proper management of the River Basin.

Mr Ramokate noted that there were about 105 libraries across the country which cost government about P2 million in acquiring materials annually.

However, he said the relevance of content for libraries had been questionable hence government adopted a policy in 2013 that ensured content be relevant to the regions and sectors in those regions.

Mr Ramokate therefore said the OKACOM portal launched was relevant to the North region which was predominantly tourism.

Mr Dedede noted that the water resource in Botswana was trans-boundary.

He therefore said it was crucial for local communities in the three countries to be knowledgeable about the Delta to help in its management.

Mr Dedede said the portal was key for communities to be empowered with knowledge on care and sustainable use of the Okavango Delta.

He noted that knowledge also promoted dialogue between the countries sharing boarders across the Delta.

Mr Dedede said water was a key resource and that it was vital to local programmes such as poverty eradication.

Water security, he said affected not only the tourism sector but others sectors such as mining.

Mr Dedede therefore said the educational portal on OKACOM was significant as an addition to existing information about the River Basin.

The OKACOM official, Mr George Thabeng said it was established in 1994 for shared vision and development of the river basin.

Mr Thabeng said the three countries interacted for sustainability of the River Basin, economical, prosperity and social benefit for all.

He said developments should not negatively affect the River Basin. Ends