24 Apr 2018

The Chobe leadership has congratulated the area MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni for his appointment to Cabinet as an assistant minister in the Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration.

Speaking in a district leadership consultative meeting on April 23, Mr Victor Liwena, who is Kazungula Village Development Committee(VDC) chairperson said he was happy that the President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi recognised the Chobe electorate’s vote by promoting their representative to Cabinet.

Mr Liwena said he was hopeful that although Chobe was far from Gaborone where policy decisions were made, their grievances would be heard quickly as they now had a representative in Cabinet.

Kavimba VDC chairperson, Mr Allen Savvas commended the MP for the promotion and implored the councillors, particularly the council chairperson, Mr Paul Chabaesele to make the presence of the MP felt in the constituency even when he was away.

The District Commissioner, Mr Keabetswe Lesiela commended Mr Shamukuni adding that he was hopeful that the appointment was a positive step in terms of bringing developments to the constituency as a whole.

The district council secretary, Mr Motlogelawa Thuso pledged the council staff’s support to the assistant minister in delivering the objectives of his new portfolio and in the delivery of government programmes and services. 

He however observed that there was need to relook at  poverty eradication policy as the different implementing departments of the programme had differing definitions of a potential beneficiary.

Mr Thuso also indicated that there was need to revisit the conditions of service of staff in the Chobe, North West, Ghanzi and Kgalagadi districts because they were viewed just like those serving in urban areas yet their conditions differed

He said the council lost many good performers to other districts because they were unhappy with the conditions. 

He called on the government to look at the recommendation by the task force on conditions of service and transfer guidelines, amongst others.

Mr Thuso lamented that due to difficult working conditions, Chobe district had a high vacancy rate because people did not want to serve in the area hence the need for government to come up with incentives for workers in Chobe and the other three districts.

Chobe Land Board chairperson, Mr Johane Chenjekwa pledged the land board’s support to the assistant minister. He shared Mr Shamukuni’s sentiments on working as team adding that he observed that most departments in district worked in silos.

He decried that representatives of government departments did not attend the land board meetings despite having planned developments. 

Mr Chenjekwa explained that in some cases developments failed because some of implementing departments did not engage the land board from the onset and as a result applied for land late.

He commended Mr Shamukuni and Mr Chabaesele for giving the land board undivided attention. 

Councillor Sharps Munihango thanked the MP for consulting them on his appointment adding that even when his presence in the constituency would not be be felt as it used to, they will be better positioned to explain to the electorate. 

He wished Mr Shamukuni well in his new appointment.

Earlier Mr Shamukuni informed the leadership about his recent appointment as the assistant minister. 

He informed them he now had new responsibilities which included going around the country taking the ministry’s services to the people.

Mr Shamukuni said he was now expected to seek permission to come to the constituency and implored them to complement him in serving the people of Chobe. 

He appealed to all institutions not to work in isolation because he was optimistic that through unity service delivery would be enhanced and his absence in the constituency will not be felt by the electorate. ENDS