18 Mar 2014

The Gaborone South Constituency currently has 1 966 people who have applied for enrolment in the Poverty Eradication Programme, Parliament has been told.

Responding to a parliamentary question on Monday, March 17, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Mathabaphiri said these applications were still awaiting assessment.

“Subsequently, those who qualify will be assisted,” he said. Mr Matlhabaphiri told the house that currently, 139 beneficiaries had received packages and further stated that each constituency is allocated P2 million per financial year.

He said for reasons only known to Gaborone City Council, the cost of the 139 projects cost was P7 090 000.  This, he said had exceeded a three-year budget allocation for the constituency.

Mr Matlhabaphiri noted that the roll out programme was not satisfactory adding that efforts were however being made to fast track the assessment process and roll out. “Efforts have been made to accelerate the assessment and roll out of the programme,” he said.

He said a poverty eradication project officer was engaged to enhance staffing at Gaborone City Council and fast track implementation of the programme.

Mr Matlhabaphiri was responding to a question that was asked by the Member of Parliament for Gaborone South, Mr Kagiso Molatlhegi who wanted to know the number of applications for the Poverty Eradication Programme awaiting assistance in the Gaborone South Constituency.

He also asked the minister whether the roll out of the programme was satisfactory and if he would consider accelerating the roll out of the programme in this constituency since it was a low income and high poverty area. ENDS