21 Nov 2024

Government is aware of the state of disrepair of cordon fences around the country and is expeditiously working on rehabilitating them in order to prevent transmission of diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Assistant Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti told Parliament that the damage was true particularly for cordon fences which  were under intense damage by elephants and vandalism.

However, unlike in the past where fence maintenance or rehabilitation projects were left solely to government, this time, projects will be community driven to create jobs and provide household income in rural areas as well as promote a sense of ownership, Dr Dikoloti said.

He gave an example of Mephato in Bobirwa whom he said were doing a commendable job of rehabilitating the 187km border from Tuli Circle to Dikgatlhong Dam, an initiative he said would be replicated in other regions of the country.

Furthermore, Dr Dikoloti said the ministry would embrace technology, to improve efficiencies and provide solutions to present and emerging challenges in livestock disease control pragrammes.

“The ministry will definitely take advantage of solar energy technology which is now readily available and affordable, to electrify strategic hot spot sections of cordon fences,” said Dr Dikoloti and added that the availability of high speed internet such as Starlink, brought endless opportunities.

He said the ministry would therefore take a lead in investing in such technologies in order to improve communication, monitoring and to implementing pre-emptive disease control measures.

Bobirwa Member of Parliament, Mr Taolo Lucas had asked the minister to state if he was aware of the state of disrepair of cordon fences around the country and if he would consider an expedited programme of rehabilitating them to avert a possible FMD catastrophe.

 The MP also wanted to know if government had any plans to engage technological solutions in the management of livestock movements to supplement cordon fences. Ends