04 Dec 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has promised Ngami community that his government will do more to bring socio-economic developments to the region.

“I am running a government that is inclusive and that means all should benefit from the country’s wealth and I am determined to ensure developments are undertaken in this region,” President Masisi thus he stressed when addressing a kgotla meeting in Maun on December 3.  He acknowledged that the region had been lagging behind in terms of development and underscored the need to do more to improve the livelihoods of the community.

He cited challenges faced by the region such as poor roads infrastructure, collapsed buffalo fences, among others, and assured residents of the government’s commitment to deliver and stimulate the local economy.

President Masisi pointed out that the region deserved equal treatment just like other regions and called on residents to exercise patience as the envisaged Nata-Maun and Sehithwa-Mohembo roads would be reconstructed as he had promised in previous years.

The government, he said, cannot invest millions in the construction of the Mohembo Bridge and fail to improve roads infrastructure. He explained that both roads experienced delay because efforts to secure grant from China to assist the implementation of certain projects were not successful.

In his kgotla meeting in 2019, President Masisi promised the residents that both roads would be upgraded, but that did not materialise.  On other issues, President Masisi assured residents that plans are underway to ensure their full participation in the tourism industry. 

The region, he said, houses the prestigious Okavango Delta and it is worrisome as the locals are not benefiting from the resource as the delta is dominated by foreigners. 

Time, he said, has come to correct the historical mistakes , adding that he is not against the foreigners, but is of the view that citizens should be spearheading the industry as the custodians of the delta and eventually contribute to the growth of tourism and the economy at large.

He said that in the Chobe region, tgovernment has identified some concessions that will soon be advertised for locals to apply for. He sternly warned residents against selling land.

For his part, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulaganyo Segokgo concurred that reconstruction of both Nata-Maun and Sehithwa-Mohembo roads delayed because of budget contraints. 

While waiting for the economy to stabilise and reconstruct the roads, he said efforts are being made to make some improvements in some sections, citing the Tsau-Habu and Habu-Nokaneng sections of Sehithwa-Mohembo road.

For Nokaneng-Gumare, he said the contractor experienced some challenges and currently, the department has engaged him to see if they can terminate the tender and retender while for Gumare-Mohembo road,  the tender has bee awardedt o two contractors, whom he said he believes will complete the works before end of next year.

Mr Segokgo appreciated that the road was in a bad state, adding that the construction of the bridge at Mohembo exacerbated the situation as it is experiencing a traffic influx.

In her welcome remarks, Batawana regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi commended President Masisi for fulfilling his promises, citing the return of the Maun Educational Park to the community.

She said the villgafe leadership is organising a meeting to discuss how they can utilise the park. She also appreciated some concerted efforts led by the Office of the President in partnership with other government agencies to undertake such projects as village connectivity, which is part of Smart Botswana initiative.

She also mentioned the installation of high speed WIFI connectivity in public facilities such as clinics, primary schools and dikgotla, saying the infrastructure will indeed improve communication and service delivery.

Umbrella Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Jowitt Molapisi also appreciated that government has made significant infrastructural progress in the region, citing the installation of the Virtual Teller Machine at Maun Post Office, which is the first of its kind in Botswana. The machine, he said, offers customers the opportunity to engage with the post at their convenient time and have access to services outside of the usual trading hours.

He also welcomed the construction of the high court and a centre for children with disabilities at Disana ward in Maun, which is reported to be nearing completion. H urged parents to get prepared to register their children. Ends