18 Nov 2015

The country’s second city, Francistown, has been described as an option that could offload the congestion of people who are in Gaborone for access of services.

Speaking in Parliament, Francistown East MP, Mr Buti Billy said this could be possible if services were to be decentraliced since most of the services were Gaborone centered and many people had come to the city to access these services.

Furthermore, Mr Billy cited congestion in Gaborone as one of the factors that could have contributed to the current water shortage situation, suggesting that should services be decentralized, such situations could be minimal.

He said Francistown had the potential hence should see more developments through the ESP especially internal roads.

On the education sector, the MP said upgrading of primary school teachers from certificate to diploma as mentioned in the President’s speech was a great idea. 

He however noted that this should go hand in hand with the maintenance of classrooms for improved conditions and better education.

The Francistown MP also was happy that the President announced improving accommodation for public officers such as nurses and teachers by building more houses.

As for the ESP, Mr Billy said public servants should be trained and made ready to implement the programme as they were the ones to be spearheading the ESP.

He however said that even though the public service was going to lead the ESP, maybe it might distract them from their day to day work, hence suggested that more people be employed under public service to come and look specifically at the implementation of the programme

Mr Billy also said it should be looked at how ready the nation was for the ESP, hence called for extensive public education on the programme. Ends