12 Oct 2020

Chobe MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni, has implored constituents to take heed of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s message  of what crops to plough this year.

Addressing kgotla meetings in Satau and Kachikau, Mr Shamukuni said following outbreak of locusts in their area, farmers should this year plough crops that were not susceptible to pests such as legumes.

He said it was established that cereals such as sorghum and maize were more susceptible to destruction by locusts.

Mr Shamukuni, who is also Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, encouraged residents to report any swarms of locusts that they identify.

He said the officials were currently spraying the locusts in the area as a control measure, but since the pests were migratory, it would be difficult to locate all of them.

He noted that this week, agriculture ministry officials from Botswana and neighbouring countries converged in Maun to come up with ways on how to address the problem of locusts.

Mr Shamukuni said one country alone could not solve the problem of pests since the adult locusts left nymphs since they migrated between the neighbouring countries.

On other issues, the MP explained that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he could not hold kgotla meetings as usual, but decided to consult with only leaders of different village committees.

He said following the COVID-19, which increased the national budget deficit, some projects would be shelved hence pleading with residents to be patient since projects would be carried out once the economy recovered.

He, however, said the long awaited Kasane hospital was one of the projects that were included in the mid-term Review. 

Mr Shamukuni expressed concern about the increase of  gender based violence (GBV) cases in the country.

He said government came up with stiffer penalties as a way of curbing GBV and he encouraged victims as well as those who witness all forms of abuse to report perpetrators.

In Satau, Kgosi Robert Matengu decried frequent water shortage in his village particularly during the day. He observed that in many instances water only became available at night but brownish in colour, something he suspected was the cause of diarrhea outbreak among children under the age of five in his village.

VDC chairperson, Mr Austin Samunzala complained about the delay in filling the position of the village’s headman of record. Mr Samunzala said although the services of headmen of records from neighbouring villages were available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it was not convenient for the villagers.

He requested the council to consider suspending the Ipelegeng programme during ploughing season as a way of encouraging residents to engage in ploughing and contribute to the constituency’s food sustainability.

Mr Samunzala said during COVID-19 lockdown it became evident that there was need for locals to produce food for themselves and desist from relying on imports.

In Kachikau, Kgosi Davis Ntsosang raised a concern about the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. He also thanked the government for the re-introduction of the Ipelegeng programme.

VDC deputy chairperson, Mr Gaoreelwe Phaladi raised a need for a service centre in Kachikau especially where residents could pay their water bills. He thanked the government for the installation of the four tower lights in the village.

For his part, Kachikau Primary School head, Ms Tshepo Beira thanked the government for engaging 22 people through Ipelegeng to help clean the school in line with the COVID-19 protocols. Ms Beira however lamented that learners failed to wear masks out of school premises and implored parents to encourage them to wear masks even when they send them to the shops.

Responding to the comments, Mr Shamukuni said experts predicted an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases at some point but requested that people should continue to adhere to protocols.

He said Ipelegeng was never stopped but suspended due to COVID-19 as a way of saving lives.

Chobe district chairperson, Mr Amos Mabuku urged residents to always seek clarity on issues of concern and refrain from waiting for meetings as they would no longer be frequent as prior to COVID-19.

Chobe District deputy council secretary, Mr Lesang Leloba said gravelling of roads in the region, which was part of 2015 land servicing plan, was delayed by legal tussle between the council and contractor. He further explained that the service centre was planned for but could not be implemented due to financial constraints.

Mr Leloba said the increase in VDC sitting allowances could as well not be implemented as the economy did not permit. He called on the community to assist VDC in handling village development issues in order to relieve the committee the burden. 

On the suspension of the Ipelegeng programme during ploughing season, Mr Leloba said the council was open to implement whatever suggestions the community agreed on.

Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) lead engineer, Mr Mogomotsi Mothowakgosi concurred that there was a problem of water shortage and poor quality but promised that the corporation was working around the clock to address the problem and optimistic that before the end of the week everything would be back to normal. ends