No poverty eradication programmes for soldiers

Sebele Ward and BDF Barracks residents are not being denied access to poverty erradication programmes. ‘For residents to be packaged, it is required that beneficiaries provide evidence of availability of operational space, either proof of plot ownership or if renting proof that the landlord has consented to the plot being used for the programme,’ said junior minister at Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Ronald Shamukhuni. He was responding in parliament to Gaborone North Member of Parliament Haskins Nkaigwa’s question.‘A total of 13 residents of Sebele Ward registerd for the poverty eradication programme, 10 of these people could not be located for assesment due to various reasons (8 were not found, one (1) was deceased while one (1) relocated) and of the three (3) who were assessed, only 1 qualified for packaging and has been requested to provide evidence of availability of operational space which we still await.’ Shamukhini said no request for the poverty eradication programme has been received by Gaborone City Council from Glen Valley BDF Barracks residents and as such, there are no existing projets in the two areas. The poverty eradication programme is aimed at improving the livelihoods of Batswana by addressing all aspects of poverty including the policy environment, institutional framework and establishment of sustainable economic empowerment projects thus assisting Batswana to attain food and economic security, and at a minimum, sustainable livelihood among the disadvantaged individuals and families.