Africa-Press – Botswana. In an effort to demonstrate its commitment to improving customer care, fostering better communication and enhancing operational efficiency, the Tonota District Council has introduced a toll-free line.
The toll-free line, 0800 155 173 is expected to play a pivotal role in creating a positive and customer centric business environment.
Addressing the full council meeting, the chairperson, Mr Baemedi Medupi said the council had also developed a Customer Service Charter that set out its commitment to service excellence.
On other issues, Mr Medupi urged all eligible voters to utilise the opportunity availed by the ongoing second voter registration exercise to take part in the upcoming general elections
“I have also been regrettably informed that we still have some isolated cases of delayed payments for the registration staff from the initial registration, but I assure you the Independent Electoral Commission is working round the clock to complete these payments,” he said.
He told councillors that the council took the initiative to process some payments on behalf of the commission, adding ‘i believe this is an option we will use when the need arises’.
On the District Development Plan (DDP) 9 , the chairperson said plans had been set to develop DDP 9 and members had been received invited to district consultations to be held next week.
“These consultations will give the community members an opportunity to be part of their development planning buttressing on the government’s goal of bottom-up planning”.
Mr Medupi explained that this would be an opportunity to come up with issues to be addressed in the next plan including projects and projects to be implemented in the next five years.
“I believe we will consider economic diversification, infrastructure development, and digital transformation in our quest of fostering progress towards National Development Plan 12 goals,” he added.
He also updated councillors on the Thuo Letlotlo programme, which was recently launched covering all livestock sub-sectors.
He informed councillors that the programme covered beef cattle (commercial and stud), dairy (cattle and goats), goats and sheep (commercial and stud), poultry, piggery, ostrich, rabbits, apiculture, equine, Mosi and Tswana breeds multiplication, breeding of dogs, hides and skins, game farming, fodder production and feed processing, assisted reproductive technologies, rangelands management and provision of private extension services.
“The main objective of the programme is to develop sustainable, inclusive and diversified livestock sector. One of the key principles of the Temo Letlotlo is sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, which is critical in the face of climate change,” said Mr Medupi.
He said the programme had two components, household food and nutrition component, which provided 100 per cent subsidies to micro farmers earning P4 000 and less while the national food security component targeted small, medium and large scale farmers earning over P4 000 and provided grants with farmers expected to contribute certain proportion towards the costs of the projects and subsidised loans at prime lending rate for large scale farmers.
“Let us all embrace this initiative and inform our constituents as we all know it will surely lead us to food security and diversification of our economy,” he added.
Regarding the Ipelegeng programme, Mr Medupi said it played a pivotal role in providing temporary employment opportunities for the able-bodied members of our community.
“This initiative has become a catalyst for change, as 2 887 people are engaged monthly and therefore get some remuneration marking a significant step towards inclusivity and gender equality.”
He said the council continued to implement the programme’s skills development component with 87 beneficiaries due to graduate by July.
“These individuals will have gained some skills and as a council, we pledge to actively engage them post-accreditation, encouraging them to apply the skills they have acquired and I implore all government departments and parastatals to follow suit,” he said.
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