04 Mar 2018

President Lt. Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says government is aware of the challenge of shortage of accommodation for civil servants across the country.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting to bid residents of Thamaga-Kumakwane constituency farewell on March 2, President Khama said government had since moved to address the problem through the Economic Stimulus Programme as many of the projects under the initiative addressed accommodation for civil servants.

He said other efforts included procurement of BHC houses in some parts of the country as well as budgeting for the construction of the houses through normal government budgeting system.

President Khama however said it was a pity that the world economic recession frustrated efforts by government to build more houses, but promised that government would try its best to ensure proper accommodation for its employees.

President Khama was responding to concerns raised by Kgosi Gobuamang Gobuamang of Thamaga in his welcome remarks when he indicated that civil servants in his village were struggling with proper accommodation.

Kgosi Gobuamang however appreciated President Khama for dignifying the status of headmen of arbitration by initiating allowances for them as he said they were helpful in the dispensation of justice at community level.

President Khama also said democracy required that representatives interact with the electorate to get their problems first hand and assist where possible, and noted that the Thamaga-Kumakwane constituency appreciated his effort in the area.

On other issues, President Khama hailed the speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Gladys Kokorwe for her contribution to the nation through various high posts she held in the past, among them being Member of Parliament, minister, ambassador and her current post of being the  Speaker of the National Assembly.

President Khama indicated that he was one of those who fully supported Ms Kokorwe when she showed interest in standing for the position of Speaker of the National Assembly, and said that he had never regretted his decision.

“I have no regrets whatsoever in my decision to support Ms Kokorwe because she has been a very good Parliament Speaker. This area must be proud and consider itself lucky for having her as one of their own. Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has very big shoes to fill and we hope he will be equal to the task,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the elderly, Ms Kokorwe appreciated President Khama for being willing and ready to listen to the concerns of Batswana and acting promptly on them as well as his benevolence to the needy citizenry at all times.

She also appreciated his revival of the arts and music industry.

In his vote of thanks, the area Member of Parliament, Mr Mabeo also appreciated developments in the area such as the installation of solar streetlights in Thamaga.

He however called for the speeding up of the construction of the Kubung road as he said it had long been promised, although he said there was currently no physical activity on site.

Mr Mabeo also appreciated the upgrading of the stretch from Mogoditshane to the Mankgodi turn to a dual carriage way.

The constituency gave President Khama various presents, among them 16 herds of cattle, 20 goats, 62 chickens and P69 000. ENDS