09 Nov 2023

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has been applauded for encouraging Batswana to venture into livestock production and explore business opportunities in the agriculture value chain.

Responding to the State-of-the-Nation Address in Parliament on Wednesday, Tonota legislator, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said Dr Masisi's initiatives through the Ministry of Agriculture aimed at improving the quality and growing livestock population were commendable.

He said other initiatives such as the Reset Agenda encouraged Batswana to open up, look for opportunities even beyond the borders of the country and contribute towards a high-income economy.

Mr Moatlhodi took note of efforts that were made to push long over due projects. 

Another welcome development was on improving access to water and connection to power in many settlements across the country.

However, Mr Moatlhodi said Tonota South East was faced with serious water shortage, adding that Toyota West was equally troubled by frequent water interruptions and power outages. 

The legislator welcomed the proposed construction of Tonota Primary hospital, which was long promised. 

He said the good news was that the project was planned for under the ongoing Transitional National Development Plan.

MP Moatlhodi also appealed to government to establish an Artificial Insemination facility in his constituency either at Sasau camp or any other identified location.

Another commendable development was the proposed construction of the P676 million road linking Semotswane with other villages in Shashe West. He appealed for the project to include a 10km access road from Semotswane to Tonota West.

Meanwhile the MP of Gaborone Bonnington South, Mr Christian Greeff said in the past five years, Gaborone had been experiencing some commendable projects facelifting the city.

Mr Greeff noted that the projects included the interchanges along the major road as well as their expansion to ease traffic flow during peak hours. 

Another project aimed at improving traffic in the city is the ongoing installation of intelligent robot system. The MP requested that the planned storm water drainage masterplan be prioritised.

 Mr Greeff said some roads in the city were still in a bad state  hence he called for their urgent maintenance.

He proposed that Gaborone be divided into two local authorities as it has appeared that Gaborone City Council was not coping with the work load.

Mr Greeff added that some parts of the city were dark and called upon the city authorities to as a matter of urgency to respond to the maintenance of street lights. 

MP Greeff commended council through the Economic Recovery Transformation Plan for the construction of a new primary school in his constituency. However, he said what was of concern was that two of the six primary schools in his constituency were not offering reception classes.

Mr Greeff added that since most of the residents of Gaborone were migrants who came for employment opportunities, they were greatly affected by the issue of minimum wage. 

He said it was unfortunate that the majority were in the lower cadre, affected by the minimum wage, unfair treatment and at time dismissed from work without getting their dues. ENDS