Calls for livestock patrol along A15 road

CALISTUS KOLANTSHO
Correspondent | Wednesday June 23, 2010 00:00

Vikash Prasad made the appeal during the official opening of Damuchujenaa projects by President Ian Khama recently. He said every year numerous people lose their lives along this road due to accidents that involve livestock especially when driving at night. 'I do know that we are not in the best of economic times but I would like to request for the possibility of an animal patrol like the one along the A1 highway be extended to this region so that we reduce the number of accidents on our roads. The Lions Club of Selebi-Phikwe has already voiced their willingness to coordinate such an effort should the government or any corporations wish to contribute to this cause,' said Prasad.

Projects opened consist of Sedibe Primary School, Kgotla office, 13 disaster single-room structures and a bus shelter. The bus shelter was sponsored by Seema Enterprises at a cost of P30,000. Prasad said his company has a strong belief in community social responsibility. He explained that the bus shelter project was started after they were approached by Mmadinare MP, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe for assistance in 2009. 'The bus shelter was funded by Seema and routed through Lions Club of Selebi-Phikwe due to the Prasad family's long standing memberships and relationship with Lions Club that started in 1985, when Siva Prasad became a member of the Lions Club of Francistown,' he explained.

In his keynote address, Khama commended Sedibe Primary School for its average pass rate of 70% and its performance over the years. He pointed out that it is the commitment of the nation to ensure that there is access and equity to education. 'Access to education is very important for social development and I encourage you to continue sending your children to school. It is through education that this country can offer individuals a life-long opportunity to develop themselves and make this country competitive internationally,' Khama said.

Khama revealed that the Damuchujenaa type one kgotla office was constructed through the Ipelegeng Programme at a cost of P350,000 during the financial year 2007/08, adding that the project engaged 20 workers during its construction.

He added that 387 houses have been built across the country with 13 built in Damuchujenaa.  He said the houses were constructed at a cost of P210,000 through the Ipelegeng Programme. 'All these projects that is the primary school, kgotla office and 13 one-roomed houses have been constructed at a total cost of about P3.3 million. This is an investment and indeed an achievement testimony of my government's commitment to bringing services closer to the people and be responsive to people's needs and aspirations,' Khama said.

Khama noted that communities will have to assume a greater responsibility for determining their priorities due to the constrained economic situation facing Botswana.