10 Feb 2014

Molepolole Sub-district councillors are hopeful that the appointment of an officer to focus on the poverty eradication programme will increase the programme’s uptake.

The councillors expressed disappointment with the number of projects after the chairperson’s speech during the Kweneng Sub-district Council session recently in Molepolole that the sub-district had managed to assist 45 beneficiaries only.

The councillors argued that the number of beneficiaries was questionable because they believed there was a huge number of people who applied and needed to be enrolled abruptly.

“Forty five is a little number, I was disappointed and wondering what could have been the problem and the people are being assisted at a snail pace, but I am hopeful that an officer is appointed to take care of the poverty Eradication Programme,” said Councillor Virginia Leshomo.

The councillors argued that there were many destitute people in the sub-district whose situations were dire  and needed to be attended to soon enough to improve their lives. However, with a new officer appointed they believed many people will be able to benefit.

Meanwhile, the sub-council chairperson, Mr Jeffery Sibisibi urged the council to focus its energies on assisting temporary destitute people who had been identified or the most affected.

He said it has been a challenge for the programme to excel as most of the time was spent assessing new beneficiaries to enroll instead of focusing on assisting already existing destitute people.

The chairperson also noted that this past festive season, six of the needy families were blessed with donations in terms of bedding, groceries and clothing from Remmogo Organisation, NIBRA and LEA.

“This gesture towards the less fortunate goes a long way in achieving a just,  caring and compassionate nation,” said the Chairperson. ENDS