11 Dec 2022

 Time is ripe to establish a trade corridor between Kazungula Bridge and Platjan Bridge to harness some economic value chains birthed in areas between the bridges.

According to Selebi Phikwe Town Council mayor, Mr Lucas Modimana, the trade corridor would help inject economic activities in the Selebi Phikwe and Bobirwa areas hence the challenge to Bobirwa Sub District Council chairman Mr Kgomotso Mmereki to facilitate establishment of the same.

Speaking during the Bobirwa sub-district council  chairperson’s health walk activity on Friday, Mr Modimana opined that not only would the trade corridor help in breathing some economic life into the region, but would be a lasting legacy for the chairperson.

Since the project would affect a lot of regions, town councils and villages, the SPTC mayor suggested that the Bobirwa region meet up with the affected towns, villages and North East District Council, Francistown City Council and others to devise ways of bringing the idea into fruition.

Also, the SPTC mayor found it economically sensible to link tourism in Bobirwa to the dams in the region and milk out economic value chains from the “low volume to high value tourism” in the Tuli block area.

Since SPEDU was in the process of constructing a link road from Mathathane to Platjan Bridge, it was also critical that the sub-district develop comprehensive infrastructure to enable economic activities to take place.

In the quest to achieving the noble intentions, Mr Modimana said that public officers were an engine to driving the developments.

Like an engine, the officers should be well serviced by way of both physical and mental fitness, Mr Modimana said.

He observed that some public officers were failing to fulfill their mandates and adhere to set service standards due to lack of fitness.

The fitness he said could help drive council officers towards attainment of the larger Central District claim of “A council that makes a real difference in people’s lives.”

Mr Modimana said that teamwork was crucial in achieving goals and that he had spotted some glimpses of a good sense of teamwork during the walk.

“If we’re serious about productivity then we should consider starting work early at around 6am in summer and knock off late at around 5pm,” said Mr Modimana who said that Botswana had too much sunlight that went to waste. He added, “Without exercising we can’t make it to 5pm.” Proceeds from the walk would be donated to both Mmadinare and Bobonong Primary Hospitals.

Participants at the walk were encouraged to make it a personal commitment to exercise in order to put stoppage to non-communicable diseases. ENDS