25 Nov 2019

Letlhakeng/Lephephe Member of Parliament, Mr Liakat Kablay has applauded the government for continuously rolling out the Ipelegeng programme as it contributes to improved livelihoods.

Mr Kablay said in his debate of the State-of-the-Nation address recently, that high unemployment rates at rural settlements were a concern.

He said despite being a temporary relief, the programme was the pillar of hope for most residents as it was currently the main employer in settlements.

He explained that part of the mandate of the programme was to provide short term employment or support and relief at the same time carrying out development projects that were identified and prioritised through the normal development planning process.

He observed that most of the settlements dwellers were poverty-stricken and had limited means of survival apart from being dependent on the Ipelegeng programme.

Mr Kablay also pleaded with the government to review the current Ipelegeng programme, questioning its sustainability as well as the input of the programme’s projects in the country’s infrastructural development.

He mentioned that even though the programme continued to address the plight of the poor through temporary employment, the government needed to however create permanent and sustainable employment opportunities that would sustain Batswana through periods of unfavourable economic hardships.

Mr Kablay acknowledged the noble work by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in strengthening social development and providing access to social services to Batswana.

He, however, decried of lack of support on orphan care beneficiaries stating that some beneficiaries in his constituency do not receive their social welfare nets on time.

He further complained of the criteria used during the Social and Community Development mass assessment campaign saying sometimes it rejected vulnerable individuals who could not fend for themselves. Contributing on the debate, Francistown West MP Ignatius Moswaane pleaded with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to go an extra mile in providing social support services for the old aged members of the community by establishing government-funded old age homes across constituencies.

The Francistown West legislator highlighted the need for government to establish old age homes noting that the current economic challenges no longer permitted the young generation to fully care for the elderly as they have to fend for themselves.

Some senior citizens, he said were physically and mentally dependent, and they needed someone to give them full attention and keep a constant check on them. 

He, therefore, said a well maintained and facilitated senior citizen home would provide them with the attention and proper medical care.

He also called upon the government to revive the Francistown Botswana Meat Commission abattoir as it has the potential to resuscitate the ailing Francistown economy.

For his part, Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile applauded the execution of the Jwaneng Mine Cut 9 project saying it contributed immensely in employment creation in his constituency.

He, however, said the government should strive to empower the citizenry in the mining sector and create an inclusive environment for them to realize the important role they played in the sector.

Active citizens participation in the mining sector, he said was decisive towards the prosperity of the mining sector.

He said local communities were increasingly seeking economic benefit from mining activities in their regions through equity stakes, infrastructure development and job creation.

Further, Mr Reatile appealed to government to fast track its project implementation drive highlighting that his constituency had long been promised a hospital in the Mabutsane area, a project which was yet to commence. ENDS