05 Dec 2021

 President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has promised that government will do more to bring socio-economic developments to the Ngami 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,” he said during a kgotla meeting in Maun Friday. 

He acknowledged that the region had been lagging behind in terms of development citing poor road infrastructure and collapsed buffalo fences.

Assuring residents of government’s commitment to deliver and stimulate the local economy,  President Masisi pointed out that the region deserved equal treatment like any other.

 He called on residents to exercise patience as the envisaged Nata-Maun and Sehithwa-Mohembo roads would be reconstructed as promised in 2019. 

Dr Masisi explained that both projects were delayed because efforts to secure funds for their implementation from China were not successful. 

Government could not invest millions in the construction of Mohembo bridge and fail to improve road infrastructure, he stated.  On other issues, President Masisi assured residents that plans were underway to ensure their full participation in the tourism industry. 

Noting that the region was home to the prestigious Okavango Delta, Dr Masisi  said it was worrisome  that  locals were not benefiting from the resource which was instead dominated by foreigners. 

Time, he said, had come to correct the historical mistakes.

Dr Masisi said he was not against foreigners but believed citizens, as the delata’s custodians, should be spearheading the industry and eventually contribute to the growth of tourism and the national economy.  He said in the Chobe region, government had identified some concessions that would soon be advertised targetting locals. 

The President sternly warned residents against selling land. 

For his part, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said while waiting for the economy to stabilise and reconstruct the Nata-Maun and Sehithwa-Mohembo roads, efforts were being made to repair some parts such as the Tsau-Habu and Habu-Nokaneng sections of Sehithwa-Mohembo Road. 

In the case of the Nokaneng-Gumare road, he said the contractor experienced some challenges and was currently being engaged to determine whether to terminate and retender.

Minister Segokgo said for Gumare-Mohembo road, the tender had been awarded to two contractors, who were expected to complete the works before end of next year.  He stated that the road was in a bad state with its condition exacerbated by the high traffic influx occasioned by the construction of a bridge at Mohembo. 

In her welcome remarks, Batawana regent, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi thanked President Masisi for facilitating the return of the Maun Educational Park to the community. 

She revealed that the village leadership was in the process of organising a meeting to discuss utilisation of the park. 

Kgosi Kealetile also appreciated concerted efforts to undertake projects such as village connectivity. 

She said WIFI connectivity in public facilities would improve communication and service delivery.  Umbrella Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Jowitt Molapisi welcomed the  significant infrastructural progress in the region giving as an example installation of a virtual teller machine at Maun Post Office, the first of its kind in Botswana. BOPA