23 Jun 2014

Residents of Makalamabedi in the Boteti Sub-district are a blessed lot following the Ministry of Health's (MoH) acceptance of their request to have Debswana fund the construction of a clinic in their village.

Boteti North MP, Mr Slumber Tsogwane informed the residents in a kgotla meeting on June 19 that the health ministry had received their letter and had approved the project.

MP Tsogwane was responding to a question from the VDC chairperson, Mr Kedidimetse Rantshwabi, who wanted feedback on the request they had forwarded to the concerned ministry.

Mr Rantshwabi informed the meeting that even though Debswana was willing to fund the project, it could not go ahead pending approval from the relevant ministry, which would be responsible for providing resources such as personnel to run the facility.

He said currently the residents were not well serviced in terms of health amenities as the village did not have a health centre. According to the 2011 housing and population census, the population of Makalamabedi and its peripheries is 2098 yet they received health services through a mobile clinic.

MP Tsogwane further assured the residents that funds permitting, rural communities would be adequately provided with services. He however said there were cases where closely located villages would be clustered in order to be accorded a major development project.

He said Makalamabedi, which was currently divided into two separate villages; one in the Central district, and the other in the North West district, will have to share some of the projects as it is separated by a veterinary disease control fence only.

He said currently a clinic located at Makalamabedi (North West) and a junior school in their village catered for both settlements. MP Tsogwane, however, said He however indicated that due to shortage of funds due to the economic recession, government was currently focused on major projects that catered for all, among others, the improvement of water and power supply, education and health facilities.

MP Tsogwane also said some of the major projects being undertaken by government included the construction of Kazungula Bridge and a railway line which will necessitate exports and lure investors into the country.

He said other projects which were of great importance were those that would help the country generate more income, diversify and revive the economic returns that were affected by the recession.

Mr Tsogwane said poverty and unemployment were some of the major challenges that must be fully dealt with.

He also appealed to the community to utilise government schemes aimed at improving their livelihoods, improve food security and help diversify the economy. ENDS