23 Jun 2013

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama says there are many poverty eradication projects that Batswana can choose from.

Addressing kgotla meetings at Mannathoko and Basimane Boora Khumo wards in the Serowe North West constituency on June 20 , President Khama said people should not limit themselves only to backyard gardening when there were other projects to embark on.

President Khama was responding to Village Development Committee (VDC) treasurer, Mr Tshweu Balopi who had complained of water shortage at Mannathoko ward, which he said hindered progress of government initiatives such as backyard gardening.

He also complained of human and wildlife conflict in their area, noting that wild animals destroyed their crops.

The situation, he said, was serious and called for swift government intervention.

In response President Khama said government was doing everything in its power to asist farmers through the ISPAAD programme, as such it was the duty of farmers to look after their farms after ploughing.

He said the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism was doing their all to ensure wild animals live harmoniously with people because they were part of tourism in the country.

Residents of both wards also complained of high water bills from the Water Utilities Corporation, which they said were too high whereas there was shortage of water in their areas.

When responding to their concerns WUC chief executive officer Mr Godfrey Mudanga said there were aware of such complains and promised to solve the problem soon.

He also said WUC was in the process of introducing prepaid metering which will solve the issue of high water bills, adding that the tender has been awarded and it was only a matter of time that the initiative was finalized.

Mr Mudanga said they were aware that there was shortage of water in some parts of Serowe and in the country as a whole but said it was due to some faults on the North South carrier pipeline. ENDS