25 Mar 2015

The accounting officer in the Ministry of Health used his discretion to procure vehicles, which are catered for in the Alcohol Levy Fund Order, says the health assistant minister, Dr Alfred Madigele.

Dr Madigele said paragraph four (g) stated that “such other activities aimed at curbing alcohol abuse or minimising its effects as the accounting officer may, by notice, approve.”

He further told Parliament that alcohol was known to contribute to inconsistent condom use and unplanned pregnancy which could lead to unsafe abortions as well as maternal deaths.

Dr Madigele stated that the ministry had been implementing a quality improvement initiative to reduce maternal mortality in the country, adding that procurement of equipment as well as vehicles had been some of the ongoing activities to improve the health outcomes of expectant mothers. He stated that, though, the decision to procure vehicles for SRH did not go through the Alcohol Levy Implementation Committee.

Dr Madigele further clarified that the funds transferred to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture from April 2013 to August 2013 was P63 000 000 and not P63 000. The disbursement, he said was based on the then Alcohol Levy Fund allocation whereby, the ministry was receiving 45 per cent of the levy.

He pointed out that the same reasons, also apply to the transfer of P3 150 000 to Gender Affairs Department in 2013/14, saying the disbursement was based on the then Alcohol Levy Fund allocation whereby Gender Affairs was receiving 10 per cent of the levy.

Dr Madigele also said his ministry transferred P6 868 000 to Botswana African Youth Games Organising Committee (BAYGOC) as sponsorship for the games. The sponsorship, he said was for branding the youth games with messages on alcohol and substance abuse, further saying the messages were on buses, billboards, cars, leaflets, newsletter, radio jingles and television.

The Member of Parliament for Gabane /Mmankgodi, Major General Pius Mokgware had asked the minister why the Alcohol Levy Fund was used for the purchase of five vehicles costing P5 310 548.90 for Sexual and Reproductive Health in the period 20/12/2013 to 23/01/2014.

Maj. Gen Mokgware also wanted to know why the same fund was used for the transfer of P63 000 to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture from April 2013 to August 2013, as well as the disbursement of P3 150 000 to Gender Affairs Department from 13/05/2013 to 18/07/2013 and the transfer of P6868 000 to Botswana African Youth Games Organising Committee (BAYGOC) games on 20/03/14. ENDS