11 Feb 2016

Parliamentarians continue to respond to the 2016/17 budget speech presentation by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo.      

In his response on Wednesday, Member of Parliament for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy expressed disappointment at how some opposition members continued to speak against the proposed budget for the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security.

Mr Billy, like other MPs who supported the proposed allocation of P3.59 billion for defence, justice and security ministry, argued that it was important for the security forces to be allocated significant resources to continue to operate and deliver services effectively.

Contrary to what some opposition members said was wasteful, he said, it should be noted that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) was using outdated equipment which needed to be replaced.

He said the budget would also address some challenges which included lack of accommodation, dilapidated offices, lack of transport for all security forces including the Botswana Police Service and the Botswana Prisons Service. It is also envisaged to cater for construction of police stations as well as staff houses to improve safety.

On other issues, MP Billy said it was important for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to be allocated sufficient funds, under the Economic Stimulus Programme to address problems of storm water drainage around the country.

On his constituency, he said that Batswana should be encouraged to take advantage of the ESP in that projects under the ‘spaghetti road’ as well as the Kazungula Bridge would offer tourism opportunities.
Nonetheless, he expressed concern about the name given to the national stadium in Francistown, saying that should have been left to the community for it to have some significance.

Also, debating the 2016/17 budget speech, MP for Gaborone Central, Dr Phenyo Butale said government needs to carefully consider the basic needs of Batswana in its approach to the national budget.

Dr Butale said the national budget should not just focus on distributing funds to various government ministries, but should carefully consider improving the living conditions of Batswana.

“For example, we have heavy spending on the military instead of catering for the basic needs of ordinary military officers.  Expenditure needs to go towards improving the welfare of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) officers, providing helicopters and other necessary equipment, not expensive fighter jets,” Dr Butale said.

He said in his constituency, there is the Special Support Group (SSG) camp in Maruapula, where some officers lack proper accommodation.  

“We have people who have served for five years still living in tents.  This should be our priority areas,” said Dr Butale.

He said government needs to be investing on creating an education system focused on producing quality products in line with the country’s developmental needs, adding that in its current state, Botswana’s education was out of touch with global thinking.

Furthermore, MP Butale called for decentralisation, saying that local councils need to be given greater autonomy to pursue their own developmental projects.

“As a city, Gaborone is developing at a rapid pace, but still faces developmental backlog of dark streets or poorly maintained internal roads.  If the Gaborone City Council had greater autonomy, they could take advantage of the city’s strong tax base to generate funds and work on improving the city,” he said.

Dr Butale also called on government to pay greater attention to the plight of civil servants.   He said that public service wages had remained stagnant in the face of inflation and urged the bargaining council to speed up negotiations.

Furthermore, Dr Butale said that Botswana’s development could be better served by open debate which would allow ideas to flourish. Ends