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From 6 July 2006, a graphic version of the current edition is available at the Daily News Online web site.

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One of the resolutions requests the Department of Tourism to consider decentralising its activities by opening offices at district headquarters and that the head of department should be in a position to take decisions for the department.

Reasons for this are that tourism is an engine of growth as it contributes to the economic diversification of and employment creation.

However, the department operates mainly from Gaborone.

However, the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism told the conference that it has offices at Maun, Kasane, Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe and Tsabong headed by people at D3 and D4 scales, respectively.

Another resolution requested the Ministry of Works and Transport to consider making the North-South Highway a dual carriageway considering the volume of traffic and the high rate of accidents.

Its reconstruction would go some way in reducing accidents, they said.

The ministrys response had been that turning the North-South Highway (A1) into a dual carriageway is a long-term vision for the Ministry of Works and Transport.

However, the converting part on this part of the road into a dual carriageway is dependent on traffic levels on that section and the availability of funds.

Part of this road from Gaborone to Rasesa has already been constructed to a dual carriageway since traffic volume on that section warranted it.

The other section of A1 road designed as dual carriageway is Francistown-Tonota stretch. Its design is complete and is awaiting construction funds. Meanwhile, the Gaborone-Boatle has also been included for reconstruction during National Development Plan Nine (NDP 9) funds permitting.

Currently, all the sections that are not yet being considered have been widened during their reconstruction to cater for traffic increased traffic.

The road sections have been positioned such that in future when dualling is due, a second two line carriageway would be built along side the existing road to form a dual carriage.

The conference resolved that the Department of Water Affairs should formulate a policy stipulating that all institutional housing should be designed with water catchment tanks and double switch water cistern to save water.

Furthermore, they urged government to educate people on rain water harvesting and conservation and that water tanks and double water cistern switch be a requirement in approving building plans.

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