23 Aug 2016

The government has put aside P51 million to capacitate all systems under the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs to be automated in order to improve service delivery.

Hotel and lodge operators were told this by the minister, Mr Edwin Batshu who was responding to some comments raised during an interactive meeting. Some tourism operators complained about   the  turn around time to process work and residents permits.

They also raised a concern about congestion at department of Immigration at Maun airport noting that their clients had to queue for a long time because there are only two officers. They called on the minister to beef up the staff to fast track service delivery.

However, the minister explained that the automated system would ensure access to other services such as permits application online. He admitted that they had been failing to meet some standards because the system is not automated hence a lot of paper work.

 Mr Batshu noted that their role is to facilitate businesses turn around so that they do not suffocate investment. “I believe we have to do more to improve on that area”.

The minister also admitted that at times they do reject some permit renewals because the operators had misbehaved or violated the laws in place. He cited the use of abusive language as one of the reasons for rejecting the permit and called on all to respect the government and the laws in place.

He explained that even if the investor has a high level of investment, it is important to look at the character of an individual before they could be issued with a permit.

For her part, Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana chief executive officer, Ms Lily Rakorong appreciated that the budget for system automation has been put aside and wanted to know when the implementation would commence as well as the completion date.

She appreciated that the move would fast track operations as there had been delays in some services. She also requested the minister to consider the issue where one obtains visa at entry point. Regarding the issue of health treatment for workers, Ms Rakorong said they once requested that an arrangement be made with health facilities to bring three months supply for workers at the delta since it is not easy to visit facilities. 

The managing director of Mogotlho lodge, Mr Dave Court complained about corruption practices by some communities noting that since the hunting ban, they were unable to hire more people and thus has resulted in some people putting up campsite illegally in the bush. Ends