20 May 2020

First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) Foundation has donated bottled water to a joint task force-north in Francistown.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in on Tuesday, FNBB Francistown manager, Mr Lucky Bogopa, said the donation was part of the foundation’s various contributions towards COVID-19 relief efforts.

Mr Bogopa said the donations were to support men and women in uniform who worked as frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic in Francistown and surrounding areas. 

He further said they partnered with youth small businesses in Gaborone, Serowe and Maun to procure 7000 bottled water valued at P246 000.

Mr Bogopa said the bank recognised that the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic were devastating and understood that frontliners, especially national security and law enforcement officers need drinking water supply as they carry out their daily duties throughout the country to enforce government protocols on prevention.

He said the water was to be donated to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and Botswana Police Services (BPS) as they continue to exercise their essential duties in helping to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Bogatsu said FNBB would continue to implement COVID-19 pandemic relief interventions alongside relevant stakeholders to help Batswana.

BPS' Senior Assistant Commissioner for Northern Division, Ms Cynthia Setilo and Joint Task Force Commander-North, BDF’s Brigadier Joseph Seelo both applauded and appreciated the donations. 

Giving a word of appreciations, Brig Seelo said the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the existence of the humankind in the entire world.

He said entire nations, Botswana included has developed a strong partnership with all sectors of the economy to fight COVID-19 pandemic, adding men and women both for BDF and BPS are strategically located at different locations across the entire country to fight the pandemic.

Brig Seelo said therefore, FNBB foundation has joined the fight against the pandemic by donating the bottled water to the front liners, adding the water will extend their operational reach and sustain them, especially during the day when temperatures are high. Ends