16 Feb 2016

Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale, says it is disappointing that members of the opposition continue to condemn government programmes.

Debating the budget speech on Monday, Mr Molale said opposition members should instead appreciate government’s efforts to improve lives as well as address challenges facing the economy.

He added that the opposition should thus stop misleading Batswana, but educate them about programmes meant to benefit everyone.

On the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), Mr Molale said the initiative was one of the many initiatives meant to address challenges facing Batswana and the economy, among them the 1974 Accelerated Rural Development Programme (ARDP), Accelerated Rural Area Development Programme (ARADP) and major village infrastructure projects.

Furthermore, he indicated that there were many of such programmes, which the opposition should embrace instead of condemning without any alternatives. In trying to appeal to Batswana, Mr Molale said the opposition was only repeating what government had already done.

He also indicated that consultation was key, hence government continued to consult not only with MPs and other stakeholders but with Batswana in decision making.
Mr Molale also indicated that it was wrong for some opposition members to say that the budget did not address issues of national concern.

On one hand, MP for Gabane-Mmankgodi, Major General Pius Mokgware said he did not agree with the budget speech because it did not have any impact on his constituency.
Maj. Gen. Mokgware said his constituents were faced with challenges of land allocation, particularly among the youth.

In other issues, the MP was concerned about the state of schools, saying the environment was not conducive for learning, hence the deteriorating results every year.
About the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security’s budget particularly the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), he said there was no need to buy expensive jets while there was need to improve conditions of service.

He argued that soldiers needed appropriate clothing and accommodation.
However, he indicated that focus should not only be on the BDF, but also on the Botswana Police Service (BPS) and Botswana Prisons Service.

Furthermore, he said government should be concerned about unemployment among the youth whom he said were the actual security threat because they were disgruntled.
Again, he argued that government should address issues facing the public service arguing that there was no how it could deliver under unfavourable conditions of service. Ends