19 Oct 2020

 Government has successfully improved internet connectivity in Hukuntsi, Kang, Tshane and Lehututu villages through the installation of a P23 million optic fibre communications infrastructure.

Launching the project at Hukuntsi kgotla on Friday, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said optic fibre expansion project would improve internet connectivity in all government offices, business premises and homes. 

He encouraged communities to exploit the internet to improve their livelihoods, adding that the communications infrastructure would empower the youth to find better ways to transact business.

He highlighted that communities must use the new development to connect and come up with innovative application systems that enhanced efficiencies and productivity.

The minister stated that the development should inspire those in programming to develop systems and applications to make use of indigenous knowledge. 

He called on those with writing skills to share the unique culture and saturate the internet with stories, thus transforming the narrative.

Furthermore, Mr Segokgo encouraged communities to leverage on the connectivity provided by the optic fibre network infrastructure to tap into new markets. 

Communities, he said, must share with the world, opportunities offered by the country for business, leisure and self-development.

The project, he said, was part of government initiatives contained in the National Information Communication Technology (ICT) Maitlamo Policy, which was approved by Parliament in 2007. 

The policy was aimed at transforming the economy and lives of the people through effective use of ICTs.

The implementation of the policy started over a decade ago, where government had been able to connect villages and communities through provision of 11 000km of optic fibre communication infrastructure working in partnership with BoFINET. 

He noted that government was able to contribute in excess of 5 000km of optic fibre to the ring that connected villages around the country.

The minister appreciated the contractor Cletem Electrical Company for successful completion of the project on time and within scope and giving back to the community in the form of a porta cabin worth amounting to P300 000 to serve as a satellite police station to the Hukuntsi community as corporate social investment.

BoFINET board chairperson, Ms Pelani Siwawa-Ndai said the project was fully sponsored by government to the tune of P23 million. 

She said several citizen-owned contractors were involved in the execution of the project, which commenced in January 2019 and was completed in October the same year, within budget and was of high quality standard.

BoFINET contractors who undertook major projects were encouraged to come up with a social responsibility project in the area where they operated.

Kgosi Merapelo Tshweneyagae of Hukuntsi appreciated the development, saying it would improve connectivity in all villages and settlements. 

He said optic fibre connectivity would improve service delivery in government offices and reduce down time, which affects service delivery.

Kgosi Tshweneyagae further noted that Hukuntsi and the periphery needed more police stations, especially in settlements as there were no police officers in such areas. 

He said there were cases of gender-based violence, assault, sexual harassment and livestock theft, hence the need to improve security in the areas.

For her part, Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security secretary of safety and security, Ms Botlhale Makgekgenene said Hukuntsi was a fast-growing business centre for the district, but it relied on Tshane Police Station for policing services.

Ms Makgekgenene welcomed the donation from Cletem Electrica, which she said would aid in dealing with crime in the area. She said a police station was built in Tshane post-independence and at the time it was the right place to locate a police station. However, in recent years, statistics had shown an increase in crime in Hukuntsi as compared to Tshane.

She divulged that between 2017 and 2020, Hukuntsi had 618 crime cases while Tshane had 73 cases during the same period, hence the need to bring services closer to Hukuntsi. 

Botswana Police Service furnished the porta cabin and deployed a vehicle to be used at the station.

Kgalagadi North MP, Ms Talita Monnakgotla appreciated the development, which she said would greatly assist by giving the communities, including those in settlements, exposure to internet. 

She added that technology would boost youth enterprises, grow tourism in the area as the district was endowed with an abundance of wildlife. Ends