13 Feb 2018

In an effort to bring services closer to the community, Xaixai Development Committee (VDC) has identified a plot where government departments can deliver services from one centre.

VDC chairperson, Mr Esau Marenga revealed in an interview that their settlement was far from services, hence they found it fit to secure a big plot to house some government departments so that the community could access services nearer.

He said currently only Social and Development Community office was functional and appealed to other officers who offer extension services to come forth.

He appreciated that although accommodation was a challenge this year, they have planned to renovate some VDC  houses.

In addition, Mr Marenga noted that construction of an LA2 house would soon commence under constituency funding and believed that it would also address accommodation shortage in the village.

Xaixai is one of the settlements assisted under Rural Area Development Programme (RADP) which aims to improve the living standards of the communities far from services.

On other issues, Mr Esau Marenga called on Okavango Sub- district Council management to improve their working relationship with his committee in order to promote smooth implementation of government services and programmes.

He appreciated developments and services in the settlement, but expressed displeasure about poor communication and working relationship, which he labeled as major contributing factors in the collapse of many projects in the village.

Mr Marenga said some initiatives aimed to uplift the living standards of the residents were not progressing well because of the delay, lack of monitoring by the council and lack of communication with VDC so that they appreciate the challenges encountered.

“This really frustrates us as parliament of the village because our role is to drive developments and improve residents’ welfare, but we are unable to do so because of poor working relationship with management.

At times we made efforts to do some follow ups telephonically, but our efforts bore no fruit as their phone rang unanswered,” he added.

He cited some projects implemented under RADP, where some beneficiaries were given cattle, noting that most projects were collapsing due to lack of commitment by beneficiaries and lack of support and monitoring from the council side.

He pointed a finger at the implementers for failing to engage VDC so that they motivate and encourage beneficiaries to exercise proper management of the cattle.

Most of the beneficiaries, he said, did not construct kraals while some failed to demonstrate commitment.He noted that if they were involved when selecting beneficiaries, they could have made efforts to revive the spirit of self-reliance in order to reduce the dependency syndrome.

Meanwhile, Mr Marenga revealed that some beneficiaries showed interests in poverty eradication packages such as bakery, small stock and backyard gardens, but noted that all backyard garden projects were not progressing well due to shortage of water in the village.

With regard to bakery, he said two beneficiaries were assisted and currently doing well as they rotate to supply Xaixai Primary School with bread.

He said it was unfortunate as at times they were told to stop because of insufficient funds at the council.

The VDC chairperson also noted that the beneficiaries had indicated that transport was a major challenge that hindered their businesses to grow as they had to hire private vehicles to buy their items from as far as Gumare and Maun.

He said the beneficiaries said they were running businesses at a loss as huge amounts were spent on transport and were left with too little for profit. Ends