Africa-Press – Botswana. Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) Board Chairperson, Mr Joe Motse has pleaded with government to address the issue of lease renewals and agreement, describing it as a persistent problem in the tourism industry that continues to hinder operation and growth of the sector.
Mr Motse made the remarks during an engagement meeting with the Minister for State President Mr Moeti Mohwasa held at Maun Lodge on Thursday.
The meeting, convened by the minister aimed to lure the private sector, particularly HATAB members to come on board and complement the government in improving the environment in which the police officers work under, an effort that could enhance productivity and instil a culture of world-class service.
Mr Motse appreciated that partnership between the government and private sector was key in development but expressed concern that the environment was not conducive for HATAB members to fully participate in the initiative.
“This is a brilliant initiative and as HATAB members, we are willing to effectively complement the government in empowering and totally addressing the working conditions of police officers so that we get a better service. We are their clients as well but we appeal that the tourism operators’ issues must be urgently looked into so that we contribute effectively” he added.
However, the minister had earlier appealed to the private sector, the community at large to join forces with the government to provide the right environment for police officers in order to execute their mandate effectively.
He decried that most of the community police service centres and the police staff housing were in a deplorable state and therefore needed concerted efforts to improve them.
Police officers, Mr Mohwasa stated were working under pressure and challenging situations and therefore urged all to adopt a model-like disaster fund where they could pledge or contribute financially in an effort to improve safety and security situation in Maun and surrounding villages like Gweta.
The government, he said had plans to put up more police stations to strengthen and enhance efficiency of policing services and bringing them closer to the communities.
“We no longer feel safe even if we have put some security measures like burglars in our homes hence we are looking up at you to improve our community service facilities and police housing to boost officers’ morale and increase their visibility.
You can even assist in kind like pledging material that can revamp police facilities in your localities to make them more habitable,” he stressed.
Mr Mohwasa also highlighted that police in Maun had land, citing a plot at Disana ward earmarked for construction of the second police station.
However, prior to the meeting, the minister and his entourage had toured Maun Police station to appreciate it as well as the newly service extension facility built and donated by Zhengtai Group of Botswana Company in Maun.
He thanked the company for their contribution saying the facility would indeed better serve the community and increase accessibility to police services within the Maun community.
For his part, the HATAB chief executive officer, Ms Lily Rakorong thanked the government for considering the private sector as a key partner in alleviating the situation at hand with regard to safety and security issues.
She highlighted that the association through its members, had been contributing tremendously towards different sectors of the government citing health, education and tourism noting that they had been assisting in construction of schools, clinics and even improving roads and bridges’ access in tourism areas.
“We also assisted the anti-poaching unit, pledged to assist 11 police stations.
Although our pockets are not as deep as they used to be, we promise to try our best,” she added.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
