09 Dec 2013

Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe has acknowledged Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) Limited for uplifting the lives of Botswana through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony in Maokatuma on Saturday, December 7 to mark the beginning of the construction of four houses for needy people at Tamasane, Kgagodi, Diloro and Mogapi, Dr Kedikilwe said the houses would go a long way in contributing to the development of the country.
BTC contributed P400 000 for the project.

He said the move contributed to Botswana’s Social Welfare programme which was key to the poverty eradication programme. He requested BTC to continue with the good gesture to build houses for needy people in other parts of the country. He said such initiatives play a major role in the upliftment of the lives of Batswana.

“I appreciate the positive gesture by BTCL to assist the less fortunate members of this great nation. The care and compassion shown by BTCL is indeed a good omen in line with Vision 2016,”he said.

Also, he noted that the project was a response to the Presidential Housing Appeal to help provide shelter for the needy and underprivileged Batswana. So far, he revealed that 316 houses were constructed through contributions by among others, the private sector while another 200 houses have been pledged. He implored BTCL to strive to continue doing well in the market because with the dividends the organisation makes, it would be able to construct more houses for needy families.

Also, he noted that government was pursuing infrastructural development such as sewerage systems and storm water drainage in villages.

“We are further exploring development of ponds to collect waste water from cluster villages to use the water in horticulture projects and also recycle the water for consumption and other domestic use,” he said. For his part, the BTC Chief Executive Officer Mr Paul Taylor said significant part of the profit the organisation makes was ploughed back to the community either through dividends to government to either build roads, schools and clinics among other infrastructural developments.

Mr Taylor said BTCL was compassionate and supports government efforts to uplift community lives adding that the construction of the four houses in the four villages is evidence to that. He said each structure would comprise of two bedrooms, toilet, kitchen and a bathroom at a cost P100 000 per unit. He said the Palapye Administrative Authority would supervise and undertake all aspects of the management of the project. ENDS