31 Jul 2019

Government is considering utilising Botswana’s abundant coal-bed methane to set up electricity production projects in a bid to diversify from thermal power generation.

The idea is to extract methane gas from the coal beds in the area and use it to generate power.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said this when responding to Shoshong residents during a kgotla meeting in the village on July 30.

Residents had wanted to know when the Kodibeleng mining project on methane gas extraction was going to start.

President Masisi explained that consultations and negotiations were still going on between the Ministry Mineral  Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security and the company that would undertake the work.

The President said the project was bound to create employment for Batswana including residents of Shoshong and surrounding villages.

He also revealed that government intended setting up solar power plants to produce electricity as another move to diversify the power production in the country.

On other issues, President Masisi said while moving around the world meeting business leaders and potential investors, he also met an electric vehicle producing company.

He said the pioneer of the vehicles had shown interest in establishing a plant in Botswana. 

Jobs would be created while there would also be skills and knowledge transfer once the project took off, the President said.

Meanwhile, residents requested that schools be connected to the internet and that Information Technology (IT) be made a core subject.Minister of Basic Education and also Okavango MP Mr Bagalatia Aaron explained that it was government’s intention to avail internet services in all schools adding that the initiative was in progress. 

He also said his ministry was in the process of engaging IT teachers.

For his part, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen indicated that the request to augment the P1.5 million raised from the Constituency Community Development Fund to build a rural administration center was not possible this year due to financial constraints.

 He pointed out that the project would require P3.5 million and advised that it be undertaken  in phases.

Responding to questions on construction of roads to the Sandveld area, Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Konstantinos Markus said P50 million had been reserved for spot on maintenance on badly damaged roads.

Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Lelatisitswe Sethomo informed residents that the Shoshong Clinic would be upgraded.

In addition, he mentioned that the old Mahalapye Hospital was under renovation.

Giving a vote of thanks, Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele, who is also Shoshong MP thanked President Masisi for visiting the village.

He said the Mmutlane –Shoshong road would be considered under NDP 11. ENDS