Government equally concerned about delays
Correspondent | Wednesday April 16, 2014 21:25
This Office has taken note of the issues raised by Mmegi reporter and would like to inform that out of the 29 Jamataka residents who attended the capacity building workshop, only one (1) beneficiary who selected tent hire is on the verge of being enrolled for technical and vocational training.
At the moment, their projects are at the procurement stage, while some beneficiaries are being offered technical and vocation training.
The Poverty Eradication Coordinating Unit (PECU) would like to inform that the packages for all the 29 beneficiaries and many others across the country are expected to be covered during this Financial Year, which began on April 1, 2014.
At national level, over 8721 people have benefitted from this programme, while over 1169 beneficiaries have been identified as running excelling projects or success stories.
In essence, the excelling projects of some beneficiaries seem to be a motivational factor for many Batswana, who are keen to receive their packages, which will assist them to produce, generate and support their own initiatives and projects and ultimately participate in the growth process, through engaging in various economic activities within and beyond Botswana.
The Coordinating Unit should have provided this information on Jamataka had the reporter sought clarification on the matter.
While this Office acknowledges the expectations of most beneficiaries and some members of the public that followed the proceedings of the workshop, aptly held under the theme: “Poverty Eradication – a journey from poverty to sustainable livelihoods”, it should be noted that this journey has begun and the implementing Ministries are working around the clock to ensure that Government delivers on its commitment to the people of Jamataka.
In fact, Government has previously acknowledged some of the emerging challenges, including reported outstanding cases in the implementation of the Programme in some parts of the country due to delays in the provision and supply of small stock, building materials and other goods, provided under various packages.
The Poverty Eradication Coordinating Unit is aware of these isolated cases and of course taking measures to address them.
In the same vein, this Office wishes to encourage local suppliers to expedite their services to ensure the successful implementation of this Flagship Programme.
Government will also continue to monitor the progress to ensure that the beneficiaries receive their dues and eventually participate in the growth process of our economy.
This Office would like to acknowledge the role played by various stakeholders, including the media in evaluating the progress on the Poverty Eradication Programme.
It is our firm belief that the media as key stakeholders have the right to know the trends and the progress made towards poverty eradication.
In this respect, we believe that efforts should be made to promote and sustain two-way flow of information to create an open and inclusive dialogue on the poverty eradication programme.
In an effort to promote this dialogue, this Office took a decision to facilitate the media workshop for some members of the media in Gaborone and Francistown, which also led to the setting up of the Poverty Eradication Media Corps.
The objective of this initiative was to establish and sustain a working relationship with the media through regular interaction and provision of information and updates on the Programme.
During the previous media briefings, questions were asked and answers provided. In essence, there was consensus on the importance of extensively engaging the media to ensure free flow of ideas and information to ensure wider citizen participation on the Programme.
In this respect, the poverty eradication programme communications office has been in regular contact with various media houses doing interviews and sharing updates and information upon request and of course facilitating and directing a robust policy advocacy initiative through a series of kgotla meetings and site visits by Members of the Cabinet Sub Committee on Poverty Eradication Programme and other key stakeholders within the programme.
Against this backdrop, the Poverty Eradication Coordinating Unit would like to assure Batswana, particularly the beneficiaries that efforts will be made to ensure that Government successfully delivers on its commitment to eradicate abject poverty and create wealth for Batswana.
This Office wishes to further encourage our various stakeholders, including the media to continue working with the Poverty Eradication Coordinating Unit in ensuring that no Motswana is left behind in the socio-economic development of our country. Most importantly, we should all work together to ensure that no child born in poverty, stay in poverty.
That way, the nation will also benefit from accurate, balanced and substantive updates on the Programme as information will be sought and provided at all times.
MASEGO RAMAKGATI
*The author serves as spokesperson for the Poverty Eradication Programme in the Ministry of State President