15 Dec 2014

Parliament concluded its business on Friday, December 12, after it was officially opened by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama through the State of the Nation Address in November.

This was the first session of the 11th parliament following national elections on October 24 this year. On December 12, parliament accepted a motion from the Minister of Finance and Development Planning to extend the National Development Plan 10 (NDP 10), by one year from March 2016 to March 2017.

Presenting the motion, Minister Kenneth Matambo said the new NDP had to be aligned with a new vision that would come after the completion of Vision 2016. He further said this also gives the new MPs an opportunity to come up with projects for their new constituencies.

Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Shaw Kgathi supported the motion saying he hoped that by the conclusion of the current NDP, projects earmarked for his constituency such as a hospital would be completed before NDP 11 begun.

MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu also agreed with the motion, saying development plans should be aligned to the national vision. He said the current NDP did not have anything for his constituency except Maitengwe police station which is yet to be constructed.

Serowe South MP, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said she welcomed the motion especially that it gave new MPs an opportunity to air their views. She also said even the new MPs were constrained by budget as some projects had been deferred and had to be included in NDP 11.

Dr Venson-Moitoi however said it was high time government looked into sustainable development projects with potential of creating employment opportunities.

However, the MP for Gaborone Bonnington South, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe opposed the motion saying his expectation was that the finance ministry should have already started planning for NDP 11.

He said the ministry should have been working with the National Strategy Office (NSO) adding Vision 2016 was planned in 1997 and planning for the next Vision should have already begun five years before the expiry of 20 years.

Parliament also adopted the Botswana Stock Exchange (Transition) Bill which provides for the registration of the bourse as a public company limited by shares under the Companies Act. The BSE has been operating as a society run by a group of stock brokers. ENDS