27 Feb 2022

Government has no plan to establish a fire station in Tonota as the village and others as well as those in the North East District were currently assisted by the Francistown Fire Station.

Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule said government was aware that Tonota was prone to fire incidents, including the fire that engulfed and destroyed the village cemetery.

Mr Pule said due to economic challenges resulting in financial constraints, his ministry was not in a position to finance establishment of a fire station in Tonota.

He said the project was not catered for in the current development plans. “We hope the project will be included in the coming development plans (NDP 12/DDP9),” said Mr Pule.

Even though hampered by shortage of personnel and inadequate resources, Mr Pule applauded efforts made by the Francistown Fire Station in assisting Tonota constituency and North East District.

MP for Tonota, Mr Pono Moatlhodi had asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development if he was aware that Tonota did not have a fire station and had experienced tragic fire incidences that destroyed property as well as the cemetery.

Mr Moatlhodi asked if the Ministry had plans to build such a facility in Tonota to curb further tragedies and to state when such a facility would be provided. ends