17 Feb 2016

Local government and rural development ministry employees have been advised to work as a team so that they can give the best services to the nation.

Speaking during his ministry’s staff meeting at Molefi Senior Secondary School on Tuesday in Mochudi, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said staff meetings were critical as they help address complaints and grievances by officers.

He said some issues need to be addressed promptly as they help officers to do their duties better. The minister also noted that communication was critical between management and officers because they serve the same public, hence information should  be disseminated timely and efficiently.

He added that it was the responsibility of all public officers to perform their duties to the best of their ability. Mr Tsogwane also noted that  sharing ideas helps improve service delivery and rebuked officers who think they were the epitome of knowledge, adding that everyone was equally important in the work they do.

When responding to some grievances and complaints from local government staff members, he said he was aware that there was a shortage of resources in different departments. He said the problem emanates from the shortage of funds by the government.

He said they were recently advised by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to scale down their spending, and that it has crippled their budget because he knows the needs within his ministry. 

Minister Tsogwane also noted that there was a budget ceiling which they could not go beyond, but said they would do as much as they could to address shortages across all departments.

He also briefed his ministry staff on the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) projects which his ministry would carry out in the next three years.

The minister said the programme was the government’s new initiative to stimulate the economy, accelerate employment creation and promote economic diversification.

He said they have been mandated to build 401 classrooms, 1 280 toilets and 486 teachers houses across the country in primary schools as a way to address the backlog.

Minister Tsogwane also added that the ESP was formulated to improve the country’s economy, and that beneficiaries of the programme should be locals.

He implored local authorities staff to ensure that Batswana benefit through the economic diversification drive programme. 

The minister also said he would address tender committees in his ministry to sensitise them about corruption, adding that they would be many tenders to deal with. Ends