15 Sep 2024

Ngami constituency prospective parliamentary candidates have agreed that construction of roads can contribute to the growth of the tourism industry and drive sustainable economic growth.

Good roads, they said during Radio Botswana parliamentary debate on Friday, made a good impression on tourists and encouraged visitors to travel further into various tourism destinations.

The candidates; Mr Philemon Aaron of Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Mr Kavis Kario of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF)’s Mr Mohoko Mateusa emphasised the need to improve the road network to attract more tourists.

The constituency has the Tsodilo Hills, Gxcwihaba Caves, Okavango Delta as well as the recently constructed Okavango River Bridge that has been rated as one of the best in the world.

Mr Aaron said despite heritage sites such as Tsodilo Hills, roads in the constituency left a lot to be desired, saying government had neglected the area for years.

“We have a new beautiful bridge that offers a stunning scenery, but the road to the bridge is in a bad state,” he said, adding that the Nokaneng-Qangwa-Xaixai road also needed to be upgraded as it  connected Botswana and Namibia.

Mr Aaron pleaded with voters to rally behind his party in the upcoming general elections, promising that he would change the economic landscape of the constituency for the benefit of communities.

Noting that Ngami communities depended on agriculture, he said they were crippled by poverty and high unemployment because of human-wildlife conflict, accusing the government of failing to address the issue.

Furthermore, he said the constituency was rich in natural resources, but that it did not reflect in communities. 

He said his party would ensure that locals benefitted from the natural resources in their area.

Mr Aaron also promised to ensure the speedy allocation of land at Tubu and Habu, saying people were denied plots because of the flood plain, but they had lived there for decades. 

He also said he would address the shortage of water and incomplete and pending projects  

On the other hand, Mr Kario said government was making efforts to improve the road infrastructure. 

He noted that a tender had been awarded for the Gumare-Shakawe road. Government, he said, was also looking for funds to improve other roads while some had already commenced, citing the Gumare-Sepopa road and Etsha 6 junction.

Mr Kario also said government was determined to provide solutions to the challenges facing the constituency. 

He said Tubu and Habu were in a flood plain hence the delay to allocate plots.

He said Ngami constituency needed a visionary leader with networks and experience such as him and urged voters to give him a chance.

Mr Kario also vowed to promote quality education by bringing all key stakeholders on board to support and motivate learners to adopt a culture of academic excellence.

He said the BDP government has supported the tourism sector and ensured the participation of citizens in the industry.

Mr Mateusa of the BPF also decried poverty in the constituency, saying government had failed farmers as they continued to experience damages caused by wildlife in their farms and ploughing fields.

Some farmers, he said, were lucky to harvest. 

However, he said the lack of a market for their produce was worrying, adding that Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board prices were not enticing and very low.

He noted that residents also relied on basket weaving and other products, but could not penetrate lucrative markets. 

He also complained that residents of Etsha 3, 8 and 9 were denied plots because they were deemed to be living in an ungazetted area. 

The BPF prospective candidate also said he would address the shortage of stationery and other resources in schools and the shortage of doctors and drugs in health facilities.

Mr Mateusa said his party was ready to bring changes and ensure decent living for communities if given a chance. Ends