19 Oct 2017

Residents of Tsau and Semboyo in the Ngamiland District have been informed that government had answered their plea to construct a brigade and satellite police at Tsau.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe told the residents in kgotla meetings that the relevant authority came to assess the site for the brigade.

He also revealed that government had taken a decision to build six satellite police stations this financial year including Tsau.

Mr Kwerepe said before the end of the year, the police officials would visit the village to appreciate the plot for the project.

“I am happy to announce that your pleas has been answered after so many years.

In principle, the relevant authorities had agreed to the said projects,” he added.

Mr Kwerepe, who is also area MP for Ngami informed residents that plans were underway to connect electricity at Semboyo under the Economic Stimulus Programme.

Currently, Botswana Power Corporation officials are working round the clock to install poles and power lines in the village, he added.

He called on residents to connect electricity in their households in large numbers as they had long waited for it.

He said electricity played a huge part in everyday lives, adding that it would boost their businesses.

Whether it is at home, school, workplace, business, he pointed out that people’s daily routines relied heavily on the use of electricity and advised residents to make use of the project.

The assistant minister also asked the communities to cooperate with BPC officials during the implementation exercise, adding that they should guard against theft of BPC materials.

Residents of Semboyo welcomed the developments and thanked government for responding positively to their requests.

Kgosi Baemedi Lelatlhego of Semboyo said they requested for the brigade 10 years back and thanked government for approving the project, which he said would benefit the entire community.

He also said connection of electricity in the village was a step in the right direction, noting that the communities’ livelihoods would be improved.

On other issues, residents complained about late payment by Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) and Animal Production Office, which buys small stock for LIMID beneficiaries.

They said since August they had not received their dues and there were no efforts made by relevant officers to explain the cause of the delay.

Responding to the comments, Mr Baagi Chilume from Department of Animal Production admitted the delay and indicated that the situation would improve going forward as they managed to address the root cause of the problem.

He said they had a challenge of system breakdown, hence the delay to prepare payments and informed residents that they had started paying.

With regard to BMC, he said the abattoir was experiencing challenges of delayed payment from their traders and promised residents that they would get their dues soon. BOPA