Africa-Press – Botswana. Batswana have been castigated for leasing their farms to foreigners who then supplied local supermarkets with fresh produce.
Addressing a kgotla meeting at Tlokweng’s Masetlheng ward Tuesday, the area MP, Mr Thulagano Segokgo said that defeated government’s empowerment efforts such as the ban on importation of vegetables aimed at promoting local production.
He pointed out that agriculture was one of the sectors that brought in revenue which Batswana should be tapping into.
On another issue, he encouraged women within the proposed Tlokweng district council jurisdiction to stand for positions that would be created with the establishment of the municipality this April.
Mr Segokgo said the council would see an increase in the number of local government representatives from the current 15 to 20.
“We want to see an improvement in gender equality in national leadership positions, so I would like women to come forth and show interest when the sub-council is upgraded,” said the said the communications, knowledge and technology minister.
Responding to a question on the sub-council’s decision to utilise Constituency Community Projects (CCP) funds for installing streetlights instead of road maintenance, Mr Segokgo explained that it was taken after consultation with all relevant stakeholders including Village Development Committee (VDC).
“The decision was taken looking at the amount available. P10 million was not enough to tar roads as that is more expensive,” he said.
The MP explained that streetlights would benefit a large part of the village.
“When you plan developments you want something that can cover many people. We agreed on streetlights as it will cover 14 km of roads in the first year, which will be about 28 km in two years,” he said.
Mr Segokgo said also taken into consideration was the fact that the streetlights would save the council funds as they would be solar operated.
He said maintenance of internal roads, which many residents had pleaded for, would instead be considered under fuel levy and assured Masetlheng residents that their area would be given priority.
Mr Segokgo stressed that it was important to maintain roads as allowing them to deteriorate much would be even more costly as it would require reconstruction.
He said other concerns in the village, such as shortage of water were noted and would soon be addressed.
Masetlheng ward’s Kgosi Katlholo Modumedisi had complained of bad state of internal roads in the area, especially one that passes next to Kgosi Kgosi Primary School.
He said the road was so dusty that it affected pupils in their classrooms.
Kgosi Modumedisi had therefore pleaded with Mr Segokgo to influence councillors to revise the installation of streetlights decision in favour of internal roads maintenance.
VDC chairman, Mr Motsholathebe Kgori echoed Kgosi Modumedisi’s concerns saying road conditions worsened when it rained.
He said the challenge was compounded by lack of a storm water drainage network.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
