LESOMA RESIDENTS EXPRESS MISGIVINGS ABOUT PROJECT Yolanda Nkoajera reporting for BOPA from Lesoma Residents of Lesoma have expressed misgivings about the Zambezi Integrated Agro-Commercial Development Project (ZACDP) whose main objective is to draw water from the Chobe River for agriculture purposes. At a consultative meeting addressed by the ZACDP project coordinator, Mr Kyin Wah, and senior environmental assessment practitioner, Ms Tutu Kerekang, residents said they were not happy with some aspects of the project. Mr Wah started by explaining the overview of the project. He revealed that the project, which is estimated to cost P7 billion, has been moved from its initially planned location, 256 area, to the controlled hunting area 8. He said the project is simply aimed at complementing the existing Pandamatenga commercial farms project to boost the country’s food security. “Reports have shown that Botswana will need another water source in the coming years. This forecast cements the objective of the project, which is to extract 495 cubic meters of water from the Chobe/Zambezi,” he said. For her part the environmental assessment practitioner ,Ms Kerekang pointed out the resultant advantages and disadvantages that are anticipated during the project. She said the project would boost the country’s economy, increase productivity in the agriculture sector, result in introduction of other field crops and create more employment opportunities. However, Kerekang said the disadvantages include possible effects on ground water and animal migration. One of the residents, Mr Isaac Sibani, asked why the project managers failed to seek permission from the Kalepa trust after deciding to use the CH8 area. He said the project managers’ failure to consult showed their total disregard for people’s views and opinions. Ms Peggy Mogami wanted to know what would happen after the project has been completed since the CH8 area had been given to Kalepa trust. “The youth in our area are struggling to find land. I hope this area will be returned back to them,” he said. Another resident, Mr Ketshwantse Moses, asked how water could be extracted from the Chobe River for agricultural purposes when all along it could not be extracted for their consumption. When responding to concerns by residents, Ms Kerekang reminded the community that a final decision has not been made yet and that the meeting was meant to solicit their views. She added that natural resources are meant to be shared equally by all Batswana, citing an example of Orapa and Jwaneng, whose diamonds are used to develop the whole country. “There is nothing wrong with extracting water from the Chobe River to help other Batswana,” he said. In response to their concerns about shortage of land, representatives of the Chobe Land Board assured residents that they would be compensated if CH8 was taken from Kalepa trust.
Posted on: Wed, 21 May 2014 18:08:24 +0000