07 Aug 2016

Parliament has adopted Gaborone Bonnignton South, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe’s motion that requested government to establish an independent autonomous water and power regulator.

When submitting the motion, Mr Gaolathe stated that the establishment of a regulator would create an environment in which the water and power sector might benefit from significantly greater investment as well as efficiency and effectiveness gains, all of which were necessary to provide affordable water and power to citizens and for growth of industry.

Mr Gaolathe further said there was no doubt that Botswana had reached a stage whereby the country should get the right power and water sector because without the two commodities  the country could not develop various sectors that government had identified as necessary to develop the economy .

He said there were gains associated with the establishment of a regulator of water and power sectors as more opportunities will open up.

The Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila, stated that his ministry had a plan in place to establish a regulator of water and power sectors, but the plan had since not been feasible.

He further noted that he had made an urgent application to table the matter during this sitting of Parliament and that he had taken the matter to the Attorney General for publishing.

Mr Mokaila acknowledged Mr Gaolathe’s effort and interest in formulating this motion adding that he would engage with the MP further on this matter.

MPs therefore unanimously adopted the motion stating that it was an important matter of public interest.

Mr Gaolathe thanked MPs for accepting the motion and further expressed his appreciation to minister Mokaila for treating the motion as a matter of urgency and great interest. ENDS