21 Aug 2016

Presidential Inspectorate Team member, Mr Johnnie Swartz says if beneficiaries and officials could apply themselves enough, that could help reverse the failure rate of government projects and improve effective service delivery.

Mr Swartz, who toured beneficiaries’ projects in Molepolole on August 19, said though there was some progress, the amount of passion and energy public officers and beneficiaries put on implementing such projects determines their outcome.

He urged them to strive hard to avoid a situation where problems impeding success of the government empowerment went beyond lack of resources.

Mr Swartz said challenges faced by beneficiaries and public officers in most places visited were similar, adding that the teams would continue to visit projects, interview beneficiaries, civil servants and compile reports to inform government on how best identified challenges could be addressed.

He said where impediments were policy issues, the President would accordingly be advised, hence a thorough interrogation of both beneficiaries and civil servants during the tours.

Mr Swartz explained that for the programmes to attain intended results, accounting officers such as district commissioners and council secretaries must always be on top of issues and aware of challenges on the ground.

For their part, beneficiaries praised government for the support and giving their small businesses tenders which they said enabled them to make ends meet.

Ms Wame Kganetsile, a tent beneficiary said she was grateful for being offered a chance to provide a tent service during President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s tour in the district.

She said poverty eradication programmes had given them hope to improve their lives and businesses, and as such had been able to provide for their families. Ms Doroth Kgadimapa, a Day Care beneficiary said her school has employed qualified teachers and bought a combi.

She said looking at the success of the business; she has dreams of including a primary school or partnering with experienced institutions to provide education to Batswana children.

A beneficiary of catering business, Ms Masego Sennanyana said she has employed five women and has also included another business where she sells second hand bail clothes. She has also built a tuck-shop and can now pay school fees for her children.

During discussions, officers cited lack of monitoring of projects as the main challenge which they attributed to lack of transport and personnel for use during assessments. Others conceded that it could also been caused by concentrating resources on fighting backlog and assessing new beneficiaries, while appraisals suffered. 

The inspectorate team is tasked with periodic inspections of government programmes and projects to advise government on issues relating to the successful utilisation of such programmes and projects.

 The team which was in Molepolole comprised Mr Mathias Chakalisa, Mr Therense Siamisang and Mr Nathaniel Tlhalerwa as the team Secretary. Ends