20 Sep 2016

The Minister of Wildlife, Environment and Tourism Mr Tshekedi Khama has explained that the delays on the appointment of Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) board was because they have not found the quality and substance they were looking for from prospective candidates.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Bodies and Enterprises on September 19, the minister stated that upon the resignation of board members nine months ago, he realised that there was need to include a woman and youthful person on the board.
Mr Khama indicated that he was taking responsibility for the non-appointment however stating that he was looking at appointing quality that would deliver.
MP for Tati East Mr Guma Moyo informed the minister that the committee appreciated that the former took responsibility for the non existence of the board however stating that there were guidelines to be followed as per the Act that required the board to make certain decisions.
Mr Khama said he approved any procurement on the basis that BTO CEO Mr Thabo Dithebe had told him that he could do so in the absence of a board.
MP for Gaborone Central Dr Phenyo Butale asked the minister on what had informed the decision to establish a P17 million BTO office in Dubai and if due diligence was taken.
The minister responded that a market research was carried out by BTO which endorsed the decision to establish an office in Dubai.
He further stated that they had looked at other new markets like Japan, Australia and South America of which Dubai offered more benefits.
Mr Khama continued to say that he was not aware that the BTO CEO was not happy with the contract as per his presentation last week.
He highlighted that he was not  aware that a junior officer would be signing over the P17 million contract because he had thought that the CEO as the senior officer in the organization would sign it.
MP for Gabane- Mankgodi Maj. Gen. Pius Mokgware asked the minister if he gave out the instruction on the procurement of BOT50 memento books.
The minister told the committee that it was his idea for a memento book upon realizing that there would be no memento for BOT50.
He further stated that he engaged with the deputy permanent secretary, BTO and other officers who agreed that they engage an individual at a cost of P1.3 million for 10 000 books which was funded by BTO.
He explained that they were working under pressure to procure the book hence they engaged an individual whom they believed had capabilities after having done other projects with BTO.
The parliament committee then summoned Mr Dithebe to reappear before them where he said he was maintaining his stand that he did not  authorise the trip to Dubai for a junior officer to sign a P17 million contract.
He said he had authorised officers to go and see the offices in question and meet with the company in Dubai but not to sign a contract.
Moreover he said that he was disappointed with the fact that a junior officer had signed the contract which was the prerogative of a CEO to do so.
BTO marketing manager Ms Jillian Blackbeard who is the contract signatory also appeared before the committee and stated that she was under the impression that just as the CEO had authorised the trip he was giving her authority to sign the contract. ENDS