18 Dec 2013

Proper coordination of information dissemination during fire outbreaks is essential to avoid putting the security of the nation at risk.

The chief forest and range resources officer in the Department of Forestry and Range Resources, Mr Jeremiah Moeng said this when addressing Chobe district full council meeting. He also advised that only designated people must disseminate information to the media about fire outbreaks.

Mr Moeng said some fires are caused by lightning or poachers who use it as a form of distraction to wild animals. He said they were aware that people want to be paid for putting out fires, adding that while such habit is not being encouraged, incentives could be looked into in future. 

However, the Chobe district commissioner, Dr Temba Mmusi warned that paying people to put out fires may encourage some to start up fires so that they could be paid. Kgosi Maiba Sinvula of Kavimba noted with concern that there was no cooperation between village leaders and civil servants when it comes to handling of natural disasters in the district.

He said in the past there used to be groups who were trained in putting out fires and that had positive results. “The involvement of Dikgosi could help coordinate efforts to handle such natural disasters at village level,” he advised. ENDS