11 Feb 2015

Parliament has approved a total of P109 013 690 to be used by the National Assembly in the 2015/16 financial year.

The figure included P106, 013, 690 in recurrent budget estimates and P3 000 000 in development budget estimates.

Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale made the budget request on February 10 and it was approved the same day after discussion by the house. The budget represented a 10 per cent decrease from the Parliament budget for the current financial year which is P117 807 930. 

Mr Molale explained that the decrease was due to the non-provision for items previously included to cater for dissolution of Parliament such as payment of terminal benefits of Parliament and constituency officers. 

He said P98.166 million from the recurrent budgets estimates for 2015/16 financial year is going to be allocated to the National Assembly, while the remaining share of P7.847 million will be given to Ntlo ya Dikgosi. 

“The National Assembly will be allocated P3 million for the financial year 2015/16 under the development budget to cover furniture and equipment, and computerisation,” said the minister. 

In supporting the budget proposal, MPs called for security at both Parliament buildings and parliamentary flats to be upgraded. They also asked the minister to buy vehicles for constituency offices to help MPs reach out easily to their constituents when they want to address Kgotla Meetings .

MP Kostantinos Markus of Maun East complained that free movement of people in and around Parliament buildings compromises security of MPs and Parliament staff.

He said the same situation abounds at the Parliamentary village and called for MPs to be removed from the Parliamentary flats and housed around the city. 

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) legislator also complained about the payments of MPs. He said MPs salaries are too low and this has resulted with many educated people being loath of becoming MPs. He asked the minister to come up with attractive remuneration for MPs so that he house could attract brilliant minds. 

Takatokwane MP Mr Ngaka Ngaka complained about the state of Parliamentary flats, saying the constant refurbishment done there means the place is not in a good state. He said maintenance should be done to improve the situation.

Commenting about resources for constituency offices, MP Dithapelo Keorapetse of Selebi Phikwe East was concerned about the manner in which constituency offices are under-resourced. He said the fact that constituency offices do not have vehicles means that MPs are constrained in informing the public about government programmes and projects. 

“I pity the MPs who represent vast constituencies where they have to cover long distances using personal vehicles to meet constituents on official issues. We must attend this matter,” said the Botswana Congress Party legislator.

Tlokweng MP, Ms Same Bathobakae was among the members who called for improvement of security at Parliamentary flats. She also said constituency offices must be provided with sufficient furniture to put them in condition suitable for offices of MPs. ENDS