07 Sep 2022

Francistown being the gateway to the North, has been chosen as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for mining and transport. 

Addressing a kgotla meeting at Ntshe Ward in Francistown recently, Member of Parliament for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy said, “One thing that complements our SEZ is Kazungula and Mohembo bridges.”

He said the availability of the two bridges, which were fairly wide, eased flow of traffic, thereby reducing congestion. 

He said as such, the Public Roads Amendment Bill, which was recently passed in Parliament, would cater for the erection of tollgates at Kazungula Bridge, saying that there should be alternative routes for those not wishing to go through tollgates. 

He said since some roads were in bad conditions, proceeds from tollgates would go a long way in maintaining such roads through, for instance, patching of potholes where necessary.

 On other issues, Mr Billy observed that importation of fruits and vegetables had helped create jobs in other  countries while increasing Botswana’s import bill.

“After an embargo on importation of some fruits and vegetables, local farmers started producing in large quantities to satisfy the local market,” he said, encouraging citizens to form clusters or cooperatives to easily cultivate farms and cater for the larger populace. 

Mr Billy advised public members to strive to realise the value chain in every business endeavour they ventured into, adding that primary businesses should be complemented by related small ones.

For his part, Mr Timmy Olefile complained about storm water that flowed directly into the homes, adding that Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) seldomly attended to pipe leakages even if they were reported. 

Responding to some of the questions, Ntshe Ward’s Councillor Eric Mabengano said some developments were bringing with them challenges, noting that while it was a good thing that some youths accessed Wi-Fi at the kgotla, some criminals snatched their gadgets, sharing that one was recently stabbed with a knife. 

Earlier on when briefing the MP, Ward Development Committee chairperson, Ms Seanokeng Dithobane said the local cultural village was milking the committee of its funds, while the benefits were non-existent.

Ms Dithobane complained that there were many undeveloped plots in the area, which she said haboured criminals. She also requested for solar lighting in the ward. Ends