14 Mar 2016

Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi, has cautioned public officers against business people and individuals who set unnecessary conditions and hike prices when engaged by government. 

Mr Morupisi said this when addressing Mahalapye Sub-district public officers about the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) in Mahalapye over the weekend.

He said government did not have enough funds as such public officers had to be on the lookout for those trying to cheat by pricing their services and goods at unreasonable prices.

Mr Morupisi urged officers to do their own market research and look for quality products and services when engaging companies.

He also explained that ESP was for all Batswana and some villages did not have business people, but had certain individuals who could offer services they needed, therefore they should be on the lookout for such individuals and engage them.

He also advised officers to moniregularly visit them and avoid situations whereby they authorise payments without inspecting first on the service provided.

Mr Morupisi also cautioned them about businesses that fronted for foreign businesses. 

He said they should make sure that the company they engaged was fully citizen or locally owned to avoid funds being taken by undeserving people.

Therefore, he said local companies should be given first priority especially the youth as they were the ones mostly hit by unemployment, noting that it was their duty to make sure that they procured goods and services only from locals in various villages so that they helped them grow.

Mr Morupisi said one of the objectives of ESP was to help the economy of the country grow which would also include construction of roads, construction of government staff houses, classrooms and many more.

He noted that their role as public officers was to support ESP and encouraged businesses to take active part in ESP so as to create employment.

Mr Morupisi said should also identify certain aspects beneficial to the community they served, adding that they were the ones who could bring positive change to their sub-district.

For her part, Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) director general, Ms Rose Seretse, said public officers should avoid corruption when dealing with business people.

Ms Seretse said it was the responsibility of all to ensure that corruption in the workplace was curbed, adding that when awarding tenders, they should follow the correct procedures.

She also advised them that ESP was meant for all Batswana and as public officers, they should avoid situations whereby only one business or individual would benefit.

Sharing the same sentiments with PSP, Ms Seretse also urged them to go for quality goods, survey the market and pay for finished projects and services.

Ms Seretse also advised them to avoid accepting bribes and getting gifts from business people as they were paid by the government so receiving such was corruption and they would be risking with their jobs. Ends