30 Aug 2016

Acting President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi has thanked local and civic leaders for the “invaluable and impeccable” contributions they made to Botswana’s development and democratic culture.

Addressing the Botswana Association of Local Authorities  (BALA) national assembly on Tuesday August 30, he said it was through their collective effort that Botswana was admired globally as a model of democracy, good governance, development and Botho.

Mr Masisi said government equally recognised the role played by organised local government in the form of BALA which its primary purpose of existence was to enhance service delivery and to promote good governance.

“Local Authorities being structures closest to where our people live, have served as the face of government and have taken political decisions closest to our people. They have therefore become critical in the way we organise ourselves and run our affairs,” he said.

He encouraged members of BALA to be responsive to new and emerging development challenges that people faced in various communities in order for their association to remain essential.

He further said it was for this reason that the Post 2015 Global Development Agenda, Agenda 2030 recognised the role that local authorities ought to play in order for nations to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The acting President further said it was essential to empower and reposition local authorities for them to play a meaningful role by providing them with appropriate frameworks, fiscal reforms, institutional and financial capacity.

Mr Masisi said government had always held a view that the private sector was an essential partner in development at both the local and national level. Thus, he urged stakeholders in the development agenda to see to it that everything possible was done to strengthen the role of the private sector at local level.

He further implored local authorities to diligently execute programmes of poverty eradication in an endeavour to end absolute poverty as well as implementing the new development agenda which is premised on fighting poverty.

Mr Masisi also called local authorities to be more active in ensuring that opportunities created through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) were exploited by local communities through information sharing and monitoring Economic Diversification Drive compliance.

“We expect a lot of goods used in construction of buildings and roads to be sourced locally, if they meet the required standard. In this way, ESP will benefit local communities through job creation and procurement,” he said.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the assembly was purpose driven as it reviewed national policies and made recommendations to government and to the national conference.

He said discussion of policy issues by the assembly could improve the livelihood, quality and service delivery to the communities.

BALA president, also chairperson of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum Board, Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in partnership with BALA had commenced the formulation of a robust decentralisation process for Botswana.

He said through the process, it was hoped that it would give local authorities latitude and space that they needed to take political responsibility and leadership for development in their districts. ENDS