14 Feb 2013

The MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu has warned government to act swiftly to remedy the problem of slow implementation of projects facing the public sector.

Debating the 2013 budget in Parliamen, Mr Batshu said it was disappointing that implementation of many government projects was either started late or not finished on time.

He expressed concern that delays were costly and delayed developments.

Mr Batshu cited the Morupule B Project as one of the major disappointments concerning implementation of government projects.

Construction of the power station, which was envisaged to increase production of electricity in Botswana, did not meet the planned completion time.

He stressed that the project was important to the economy thus its delay should be a major cause for concern.

He also called on government project supervisors to be firm when dealing with companies doing work for government to eradicate poor workmanship. 

The MP advised that mega projects such as the Kazungula Bridge and the Tonota-Francistown dual carriageway road should be carried out on time so that they could provide job opportunities for the unemployed.

In his contribution to the debate, the MP for Boteti South, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake said he welcomed the P11 billion allocated for development projects. He however, asked for an audit on project distribution to promote equitable distribution of projects around the country.

Mr Mokalake was concerned that some areas seemed to get more projects while others received nothing.

He requested for the construction of a sewerage reticulation facility in Letlhakane, saying the village had for a long time faced a sewerage disposal problem.

The MP also asked for construction of a junior secondary school at Xhumo and called for the refurbishment and maintenance of dilapidated facilities at Letlhakane Senior Secondary School. He further asked government to connect Mmadikola village to the national power grid.

The MP for Kgalagadi South, Mr John Toto said the budget did not provide hope for future growth of the economy. He said the budget failed to address issues like unemployment and poverty that had heaped pressure on the economy.

Mr Toto said the budget for failed to offer solutions to the persisting problem of lack of manufacturing industries in the country. He also called on the government to rise above the challenge of poor productivity in the public sector.

“Ministers must lead by example and take the issue of productivity and poor implementation in the public sector seriously,” he stated.

The legislator said although the government poverty eradication programme was a good initiative, it was hindered by lack of a taskforce to assess how the programme helped its beneficiaries.

The MP for Serowe South, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi asked for a clinic to be established at the old Sekgoma Memorial Hospital buildings.

On issues regarding her ministry, Dr Venson-Moitoi admitted that last year’s junior certificate examinations results were poor.

She said she was concerned by this as a minister and stressed that teaching must be made an essential service because education is critical. BOPA