Botswana: The Adopt -A- Police station breakfast meeting was held on Tuesday at Royal Aria Conference Centre in Tlokweng. The main objective of the initiative is to encourage the business community and assist government in giving community access to various facilities.
The government wants the business community to help them in creating community service centres and ablutions. The officials of the Defense Ministry shared that this is not the first time that government has collaborated with business community.
The business community has helped the government in several areas that may be needing improvements. The initiative has seen many schools refurbished and some assisted with resources the businessmen helped the government construct classroom blocks, libraries.
It is evident that the business community is eager to lend their helping hand and see country move forward. This was evidenced by the large interactive turn up from various sectors of the economy such as mining and banking.
Minister in the Ministry of Defence and Security, Thomas Kagiso Mmusi said his Ministry is delighted to partner with the business community. They provide the necessary security advice, escort and protection of high value consignment (diamonds).
Minister Mmusi said, while the Ministry is alive due to government support and commitment in resourcing, competing national demands pose serious challenge. He added that the initiative provides an opportunity for the business community to choose police stations to adopt.
It is mutually beneficial as the police stations will get their facilities upgraded. Meanwhile the business entities will also have the opportunity to garner goodwill for themselves
Minister Thomas Kagiso Mmusi said that crime becoming more sophisticated. Criminals take advantage of emerging modern day technologies to commit crime.
Minister of Defense and Security assured the gathering that the Ministry is doing all it can to ensure that police officers operate effectively on the cyber space.
Mmusi added that, “We are equally appreciative of the donations in terms of porta cabins and motor vehicles that we continue to receive from you. These resources contribute notably to releasing our desire of bringing services closer to the people”.
“It is my considered opinion that if properly implemented, the Adopt-A-Police Station initiative will go a long way in up lifting the outlook of our Police facilities countrywide”, the Minister said this in closing.
Botswana Police Service Commissioner, Dinah Marathe delivered brief address at the event. She said that during her nationwide familiarisation tour of Police Stations, she realised that most facilities were dilapidated.
The facilities are in desperate need of maintenance and facelift. Commissioner Marathe informed the attendants of the meeting that such an undertaking as Adopt -A- Police station is critical.
It is important to that the initiative will compliment government efforts in making the facilities more appealing.
“I am confident that the dedication, talent and collaboration of everyone in this venue, including those who could not make it due to pressing commitments, we will make a positive impact, not only on the physical outlook of Police facilities but service delivery in general”, this was echoed by the Commissioner of Botswana Police Service Ms Dinah Marathe.