16 Jun 2016

 One hundred and thirty-five public officers were awarded with P5 000 each and certificates during the awards ceremony in which the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Eric Molale said government would one day award a bonus salary, known as the 13^th cheque.

Speaking during  the Public Service Awards Ceremony held in Gaborone yesterday, the minister said the awards were meant to encourage public officers to offer the best service to the general public.

The minister said this follows the introduction of the Performance Based Rewards System (PBRS) and Rewards Menu which called for awarding of prizes to best performing officers.

Mr Molale said PBRS offers evidenced based awards system and called upon officers to ensure it was rightly implemented.

He said officers should have their annual plans, the Performance and Development Plan (PDP) and those performing well would be rewarded and struggling officers would be trained to ensure they are adequately equipped for their jobs.

He said the dedication of the public officers and the services they render have not gone unnoticed as Batswana were happy with the overall assistance they received, although some areas still require improvement.

The minister paid tribute to the President Lt Gen Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama for frequently meeting with the public officers to address their concerns.

Minister Molale was accompanied by his assistant, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele.

Giving vote of thanks, the Deputy Permanent Secretary to the President Ms Botshelo Mathuba said the public expects an effective and efficient service, quality service and prudent management of resources.

She called upon the public officers to continue to monitor their work adding public officers should not work because they have to but because they want to.

BOPA reporter Anastacia Sibanda and Information Services’ David Moeng, principal administration officer, were among the three winners from Office of the President.

 Other than individuals, some departments received prizes, a trophy and P2 000 for each member, for their innovative ideas.

Geoscience Team from the Department of Geological Surveys, Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources received a prize for their manufactured sand.

Mapotiele team from the Department of Surveys and Mapping in the Ministry of Lands and Housing received an award for the establishment of Continuous Operating Reference Stations.

Another award was given to Kasane Central Transport Organisation (CTO) for reducing the number of government vehicle accidents in the resort town.

Gantsi District Council also received the award for their project which addressed community involvement in waste management.

The Best Ministry Award went to Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology while Francistown District Adjudicating Tender Committee (DATC) received the award for Best Performing Department. ENDS