14 Dec 2021

Different local authorities on Monday met in Gaborone to map a way forward for the utilisation of resources available in various districts.

Acting Director of Local Governance and Development Planning, in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), Ms Ntotang Swapo told the workshop hosted by Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) and MLGRD in Gaborone, that the resources could be utilised to develop the economies of the districts, where they were located.

She said in collaboration with the districts, they assessed the potential of available products to see if they could be sold, and funds accrued used to improve the economy of communities.

Ms Swapo said thereafter, the districts came up with business bankable plans or strategies. She noted that the workshop was meant for stakeholders who included the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, ABSA and First National Bank among others; to present different models and their implementation, such as the private public partnerships.

BALA Chief Executive, Mr Steve Pheko said one of the objectives of the workshop was to share best practices and draw lessons from each other.

He also said they intended to understand the complimentary nature of the Local Economic Development (LED).

Mr Pheko said that the other objective was to understand the investment landscape and how they could leverage local resources, collaborations and partnerships for development. When welcoming delegates, the Chairperson of the Central District Finance Committee, Councillor Kgomotso Mmereki, said the purpose of the workshop was to facilitate the beginning of a high-quality strategic planning, which integrated different roles of government departments, planning service provisions, assert management and local economic programmes.

“I believe you are all aware that attaining Sustainable Development Goals is dependent on attaining the 5th SDG, of achieving gender equality by empowering all woman and girls,” he said. Ends