07 Oct 2018

Government and parastatal employees in Ngamiland have been urged to  serve communities with passion and dedication.

When addressing a kgotla meeting in Gumare recently, Ngami MP, Mr Thato Kwerepe, said employees were extension officers, therefore they were expected to bring services closer to the people.

The MP also expressed concern about incidences where an employee would halt a government programme or initiative in some areas, something he said was wrong.

“The law is there as a guide, but sometimes you can use your discretion and help people looking at the state of affairs. No one would crucify you for the decision you took in the best interest of customers as long as you justify the situation,” he said.

On another issue, the MP appealed to property owners housing poverty eradication businesses to consider lowering rental prices, adding that high rentals had significantly contributed to regression and eventually closure of many businesses.

Still on poverty eradication, principal wildlife warden, Mr Orbit Rantlole, said there were two programmes under the department of wildlife and national parks namely fishery and guinea fowl farming, which he said almost all the beneficiaries under the department had received their packages.

He said for fishers, the department encouraged beneficiaries  to form syndicates adding  that some people had been trained on product handling and packaging by relevant authorities.

Updating on compensation of farmers for destruction caused by wild animals, Mr Rantlole said  from April to September this year, in the area of Habu to Ikoga villages, the department paid 251 cases at a total of P755 616, while the pending 50 cases amounting P476 292 would be paid soon since since the department received another P1million to push the backlog.

Mr Rantlole however noted that shortage of transport at the department remained a challenge to promptly and efficiently serve the community.

On a different matter, the long awaited cluster fencing project in Xhurube settlement in the outskirts of Gumare is said to have commenced.

Mr Onne Monamisi from the department of crop production said all the required material had arrived, while Xhurube residents were the ones employed to do the job, except for special skills. Ends