P68 Million Tender Rotting At Delta Dairies

As you read this comment, 300,000 pupils in primary schools across the country are missing out on a crucial dietary supplement - milk.

This dietary supplement has been missing since March this year. Not because government does not care. A P68 million tender is rotting in the offices of the milk producers and suppliers, Delta Dairies, a citizen owned, and by extension, government owned enterprise, employing about 56 staff.

However, since the tender was awarded, the milk plant, the brainchild of citizen promoter, Howard Sigwele, has been under lock and key, with no operations taking place. The first delivery of milk from this lucrative tender was to take place in April this year. Basically it has been seven months since government deliberately empowered this citizen enterprise but they have not delivered and the 300,000 pupils across the country continue to suffer malnutrition. What is also mind boggling is the fact that CEDA, who now holds 98.5% stake in the company, has literally abandoned the company and do not seem to care first about the P68 million tender, and secondly about the sufferings their “I Don’t Care” attitude has brought to the children of Botswana. The employees at Delta Dairies have gone for four months now without pay, and CEDA do not seem to care.

Editor's Comment
Stakeholders must step up veggie supply

The Ministry of Agriculture, local producers, retailers, and industry associations must work together to overcome the obstacles hindering vegetable production and distribution.This collaborative approach is essential to improve the availability, quality, and affordability of vegetables in the market.Firstly, the Ministry of Agriculture should provide support and guidance to local farmers to enhance their productivity and efficiency. This could...

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