04 Aug 2013

The 30 000 blankets budgeted for this financial year by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development have been purchased in two phases.

Answering a question in Parliament, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele said the first batch was bought in June and the second bought in July, adding that they were delivered to beneficiaries during those two months. Due to the fact that beneficiaries numbers increased from the initial 30 000, he said the order was placed for 30 500 blankets of which a balance of 2 180 was expected to be delivered on August 2. A total of 27 169 blankets have already been distributed across 13 districts based on the number of registered destitute persons in the respective districts and distribution is still ongoing in the North West District while it has not yet started in the North East District.

Mr Siele said it is anticipated that distribution in both the North East and North West Districts will be completed by August 8, 2013.  He also revealed that the procurement process for 9 918 radios is still ongoing.  No radios have been purchased yet, he stated. Member of Parliament for Kanye South, Mr Abram Kesupile had requested to know when the blankets and radios were purchased, and where they have been distributed.  ENDS