Lake Ngami urgently needs ablution facilities

Leinanyana Tsiane | Tuesday August 19, 2014 14:20

 

Chairperson, Moletelo Molathiwa, has revealed that fishermen in the camp don’t have anywhere to answer the ‘call of nature’ and have resorted to relieving themselves in the nearby bushes. 

She said this exposes animals to health risks as they can catch measles through grazing on grass infested with human waste.

“The VDC has called several meetings to address this situation but our efforts hit a snag because no solution has been  reached.  It is also difficult for us because all the camps don’t have ablution facilities,” she said.

 Molathiwa also disclosed that Ministry of Health officers have, on several occasions,  warned them of the dangers of not having ablution facilities at the camps but since fishing is a source of income, they operate without it.

People come from as far as Gaborone, Bobonong and Francistown to fish. Anyone is allowed to fish as long as they have a valid fishing license, which expires after three years.

Molatiwa further said the newly formed community Trust, comprised of Sehithwa, Toteng, Botlhatlhogo, Bodibeng and Kareng villages, is yet to establish regulations to control the number of fishermen allowed into the area each season to manage the current high numbers.

There are five camps in the area namely;  Mabono, Machaba, Matsentsela and Tsokung camps. Molatiwa said once the Trust establishes the new regulations, there will be an entrance fee charged.

She said the money will go into the VDC coffers and be used to develop the village. She said there are many people at the camps, adding that once the VDC has formulated set laws, only 20 fishers will be allowed into each camp.  Molathiwa also expressed  concern over the dirty surroundings, which have papers, cans and plastic bags scattered around. She said the VDC has addressed fishers and encouraged them to keep their surroundings clean, but their requests  fell on deaf ears.  She said the VDC convenes meetings before the fishing season to address fishers on the rules and regulations on fishing in the area, but not all of them adhere to them.