08 Jan 2020

A total of 196 projects were approved under the LIMID programme since its inception in the Shashe West constituency.

Briefing the Member of Parliament for Shashe West, Mr Fidelis Molao on the progress of projects, Tonota Sub-district Council Physical Planner, Mr Kopo Maradung said the projects included 165 small stock, 19 tswana chicken, eight fodder processor, one kraal, a crush and loading ramp, one borehole purchase and two borehole drilling.

Mr Maradung also said a total of 136 projects were implemented that included 107 small stock, 17 tswana chicken, eight fodder processor, one kraal, crush and loading ramp, one borehole purchase and two borehole drilling.

He told Mr Molao, who is also the Minister of Basic Education that several challenges were encountered during implementation of the projects such as lack of commitment by beneficiaries, delay in supply of veterinary requisites as well as shortage of transport.

Interventions, he said, included identifying alternative sources of veterinary requisites and liaising with other departments.

Regarding the poverty eradication programme, Mr Maradung explained that since its inception, a total of 392 projects were allocated to beneficiaries across Shashe West constituency with Borolong having 135, Chadibe 69, Makobo 44, Natale 101 while Jamataka had 43.

He explained that small stock projects were the ones in high demand totaling to 160 and were mostly performing fairly well compared to other projects.

He also briefed the MP on egg production which he said Borolong had one project, Chadibe two projects and Natale also having two projects adding that a total of five projects were funded and two were operational whilst the remaining three are non-operational.

Mr Maradung said challenges encountered included negligence of projects by some beneficiaries, lack of market, poor record keeping, substandard products and high water bills.

Interventions, he said included continuous monitoring, intensifying marketing and identifying opportunities for beneficiaries to sell their products as well as motivating beneficiaries during monitoring and consultation meetings.

Regarding the women economic empowerment programme, Mr Maradung explained that the Borolong, Chadibe, Natale and Jamataka recorded a total of eight projects since programme inception  that included beef production, horticulture, hair dressing, poultry production, textile, tree nursery and small stock production.

Challenges encountered include, lack of resources such as transport, lack of commitment by beneficiaries, misuse of projects funds by beneficiaries, as well as failure by beneficiaries to submit monthly reports. 

Mr Maradung also briefed the Minister on crop production, ISPAAD, grading of some roads to agricultural production areas, horticultural projects, human resource, office accommodation, housing, transport, cluster fencing, as well as extension area alignment.

For his part, Mr Molao urged heads of departments to spearhead government programmes and policies adding that as public officers they must work together and support each other in pursuit of stakeholder’s satisfaction.

He emphasised the importance of taking services closer to people as well as to assist customers meticulously.

Mr Molao advised them to work as a team. He applauded them for having worked fairly well in the past year and urged them to continue with the spirit despite the many challenges they faced in their working environment.

Meanwhile, Senior Assistant Council Secretary for Tonota Sub District Council, Mr Onthatile Molelu told the minister that lack of staff accommodation was a serious challenge for public officers in the sub-district as most of them commuted from as far as Francistown.

Mr Molelu also informed the minister that lack of implementation of some programmes was another challenge as some programmes did not have the necessary resources such as transport.

He informed the minister that it was almost five years without any procurement of vehicles for Tonota Sub-district council saying the Council was operating with a 30 per cent fleet whilst the remaining 70 per cent was down. Ends