25 Jun 2014

Constituencies hard hit by poverty will be allocated more funds to undertake poverty eradication projects.

Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Witness Ongadile said this during a capacity building workshop for poverty eradication implementing officers.

He said a decision has been made to allocate about P2 million to constituencies which are more poverty stricken while the rest get about P1.4 million.

These areas included Tswapong North, Tswapong South, Palapye, Serowe North East, Serowe North West, Serowe South, Bobirwa, Mmadinare, Okavango, Ngami, Letlhakeng East, Letlhakeng West, Boteti North, Boteti South, Maun East, Maun West, Borolong, Ghanzi North, Ghanzi South, Kgalagadi North and Ngwaketse West.

In addition, Mr Ongadile said the maximum limit for any given project had been increased from P10 000 to P15 000.

He said nothing would be claimed owing to the beneficiary when the project costs less than P15 000, adding that there were cases where beneficiaries demanded payments in those instances.

For his part, poverty eradication coordinator, Dr John Mothibi said the programme was not the responsibility of Office of the President, rather implementation of the projects lied upon councils, district administrators and ministries.

He said all stakeholders should work together to make this programme a success by enrolling more people with the aim of moving them out of dependence on government.

Dr Mothibi said officers should strike a balance, adding that they should enroll more people but focusing on viable successful projects.

He said in some areas there were many projects undertaken of which very few are successful.

Ngwaketse West for instance, he said 362 projects were rolled out and only 10 are successful whilst Selibe Phikwe East rolled out 27 projects of which 10 are successful.

Dr Mothibi said there were districts that were excelling in making this programme a success as such those that are not doing well should seek information and bench mark with excelling districts. ENDS