16 Jan 2018

Chobe MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni has informed residents of Parakarungu that Chobe leadership had a meeting to review the projects that were suggested to be implemented through the P10 million constituency funding.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in the village on January 15, MP Shamukuni said the leadership decided to address pertinent issues such as water and the roads using the fund instead of the projects such as the construction of the guest house that were suggested.

He noted that the leadership decided to allocate P1.9 million to improve internal roads in Parakarungu adding that this will improve accessibility of the village through both the public transport and private vehicles.

He said still in the village P397 000 was allocated for the reticulation of water at the new plots.

The Chobe Legislator noted that while not all the residents could not be satisfied with the leadership’s decision they felt the projects they came up with were a priority compared to the previous suggested projects.

He pleaded with the community to always suggest projects that can address their grievances every time when they are consulted on projects to be included in the LG1109.

He cited that currently the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) indicated that it does not have a budget for a transformer at Chitozamatako and the community can decide to utilize the LG1109 funding for such.

On other issues, Mr Shamukuni raised a concern about the rate which the residents were selling and transferring their land rights. He called on the residents to appreciate the value of land and instead of selling rather lease their land.

Mr Shamukuni also informed the residents about the agricultural service centre in Parakarungu that is aimed at bringing services closer to the farmers.

He said the project, which is already completed will be handed to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security in the near future and will provide services similar to those in Pandamatenga such as seeds and animal feeds. The MP said he is hopeful that the centre will help revive agriculture in the area.

In his welcome remarks Kgosi Johane Chika III commended the Agricultural Demonstrator for a job well done. He, however, lamented that although people ploughed their plants especially maize withered due to the recent heat wave and lack of rain.

Kgosi Chika III also complained about the shortage of water in the village. The VDC vice chairperson, Mr Mr Thabo Zambo called for the re-gravelling of the Satau- Parakarungu road.

Mr Josius Kavuna complained of high water bills and suggested that the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) should introduce prepaid water system so that residents are better positioned to monitor their consumption.

Ms Sheno Samunzala complained of the expenses they incur to travel to Gaborone to collect their certificates at the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) once they are returned and suggested that the regional education offices should be mandated to keep uncollected certificates from schools.

Mr Kanyevu Mozimba raised a concern about the turnaround time for attending to wildlife destruction in the farms and suggested that during ploughing season the wildlife officers should camp in villages that do not have offices.

Mr Mozimba said previously Parakarungu was second after Pandamatenga in terms of agriculture production but has since dropped because of the destruction of crops by the elephants. In response the district crop production officer, Mr Zacharia Mmapetla commended the residents of Parakarungu for purchasing tractors and encouraged them to form clusters and fence their farms so that agriculture production in their village is taken to higher level.

Mr Lekolang Botumile from the Basic Education offices explained the issuance of academic certificates is that of BEC and once they are availed at the schools they kept for a specified period and returned to BEC, he however called on those who have problems of collecting them in Gaborone to inform the regional education offices so that it intervenes.

Mr Shamukuni explained that the shortage of water in Parakarungu was due to a pipe burst in the Kachikau area adding that while it was attended it will take some time before the water pressure is back to normal.

He appreciated the agricultural demonstrator and implored other public servants to emulate him.

Mr Shamukuni also appealed to the community to give public servants the necessary support so that they provide services diligently. ENDS