17 Sep 2019

The Chairperson of the North East District Council, Ms Florence Mpetsane says 1 217 farmers have so far benefited from the primary school new breakfast menu by supplying vegetables and eggs

Addressing the North East District Full Council meeting on Monday Ms Mpetsane said the council had engaged local suppliers to supply food commodities in primary schools as a local economic empowerment initiative.

In April this year, government introduced new food menu for primary school pupils aimed at providing children with breakfast.

She therefore, urged farmers in the district to take advantage of the initiative for the betterment of their lives.

“Honourable Councillors, if farmers are fully committed in taking care of their produce and fields then the issue of lack of market for agricultural produce should be a thing of the past,” she said.

Further, Ms Mpetsane said the council continued to engage local suppliers for the supply of bread.

She explained that suppliers of bread had  been increased by 48 following the introduction of breakfast meal in primary schools, adding that to date 306 local suppliers had benefited from the initiative.

Regarding roads infrastructure in the district, Ms Mpetsane stated that the district through the Ministry of Transport and Communications managed to implement a number of roads projects during the five year period.

She said the major road projects which were implemented included paving of  five kilometre Matenge access roads , resealing and shoulder construction of the Sebina-Masunga road (45 km), re-gravelling of Kalakamati-Zwenshambe road (21 km), re-gravelling of Tonota-Ditladi- Patayamatebele road (45 km), bush clearing and dry grading across the district.

She however, indicated that there had been some delays in delivering some of the roads projects such as the upgrading of Tshesebe-Masunga into bitumen standard, resealing and road marking of the Francistown-Matsiloje road as they were terminated due to contractual issues.

Still on roads related issues, Ms Mpetsane explained that the Council through Civil and Mechanical Engineering services department also played a significant role in the development of road infrastructure and associated works through the road levy fund and the recurrent budget.

The Chairperson also told the session that the district managed to carry out minimal servicing in various villages in the district through reticulation of water pipe line, bush clearing and road formation and this covered a total of 3000 plots.

She said the project was expected to enhance or facilitate development of allocated plots as well as compliance to the development covenant.

On other issues, Ms Mpetsane indicated that the preparations or the general elections are at an advanced stage and that the Masunga Independent Electoral Commission office had recruited 771 poll staff to be engaged in the October 23 exercise. ENDS