08 Jul 2020

 Member of Parliament for Shashe West Mr Fidelis Molao says drought assessment is still ongoing around the country and the exercise  is likely to be complete by the end of this month.

Addressing the COVID-19 team which included dikgosi, village development committee and village extension team in Nshakashogwe recently, Mr Molao said farmers would only be notified of subsidies to be introduced once the drought assessment was complete.

He agreed that some areas were already showing signs of the impact of drought adding that once complete, the report would be shared with the nation.

Mr Molao was responding to some concerns raised by Kgosi Morgan Phaladze of Nshakashogwe who said livestock feed subsidy had since ended last month but nothing had been communicated by the government despite farmers experiencing the impact of drought.

Furthermore, Kgosi Phaladze appealed to their MP who is also the minister of basic education, to urge his counterpart minister of agricultural development and food security to visit their region.

VDC chairperson Dr Augustine Utlwanang commended government for the COVID- 19 food relief programme noting that a good number of deserving families received their food packages on time.

He further praised Water Utilities Corporation for ensuring that there was no shortage of water during and after  the lockdown period as the corporation was making efforts by bowsing whenever there was a need.

 He said their village had been one of the places faced with serious water challenges.

In addition, Dr Utlwanang said even though Ipelegeng employees had been engaged to clean pupils’ toilets, they had not been given protective clothing as it was promised.

Also, he pointed out that the school did not have geysers to warm water for pupils to wash hands.

He noted that an arrangement to warm water with firewood had been made.

He noted that efforts to warm water with firewood were also made difficult by suppliers who were reluctant to supply the school ever since council reduced prices for firewood.

Tutume sub-council chairperson Mr Anthony Chibane said he would take up the issues with relevant council departments.

MP Molao also toured Nshakazhogwe primary and Shangano junior schools. Ends