14 Mar 2016

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa, has asked government to build mini stadiums in Gaborone to promote development of the sport industry.

Mr Nkaigwa told Parliament on Thursday that rather than renovating the National Stadium, government should instead increase the number of sports facilities through mini stadiums.

The legislator was debating the P803.9 million Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology budget proposal. 

He complained that excessive amounts of money had been spent on refurbishing the National Stadium while the city experienced shortage of sports facilities. 

“I think it would be better if mini stadiums were built around the city in areas like Gaborone West and Broadhurst; these could in turn be leased to football clubs which will help in the growth of sport as business,” he suggested. 

Mr Nkaigwa also complained about government tendering processes saying some companies always won government tenders even when they did not have the capacity. He said such companies ended up doing shoddy jobs on government projects. 

Mr Nkaigwa also claimed that government had been slow to invest on science and technology research, advising that research could help government to make informed decisions on key programmes. 

“Government always comes up with programmes but when you try to find out what informed those programmes you realise that they were not informed by any research,” he pointed out. 

Nata-Gweta MP, Mr Polsen Majaga, said more research should be carried out on indigenous herbs.

He said the country had many species of indigenous herbs and time has arrived for research to be made on how they can be used to create a thriving medicine industry.

If properly harnessed, he said, they could help to create employment opportunities.

The legislator thanked the ministry of infrastructure for having started the process of registering engineers and quantity surveyors, saying the move will lead to quality assurance for major construction works. 

Tati West MP, Mr Biggie Butale  raised a concern that Botswana was lagging behind other countries in the use of technology and innovation yet the nation possessesed the acumen and intellect to turn the country into a science and technology hub.

He advised the ministry of infrastructure to move forward into developing research.

Shashe West MP Mr Fidelis Molao said strict measures should be taken against companies that flout procedure when carrying out government projects.

Minister of Infrastructure Science and Technology Mr Nonofo Molefhi assured MPs that his ministry takes research on science and technology seriously. 

“My ministry promotes research work though it does not carry out research itself.

We are working together with the ministry of Education and Skills Development to promote science education by strengthening the capacity of teachers to be able to impart science education on students,” he said in response to MPs concerns. Ends