06 Nov 2016

Some legislators have complained that they were not consulted during drafting of the Vision 2036.

Debating the draft National Development Plan (NDP) 11 in Parliament, the MPs said having been not part of its drafting, it was difficult to link it to the NDP 11 aspirations.

Ghanzi North MP, Mr Noah Salakae, said there was a lot of difference regarding what was intended to be achieved in 2036 and the NDP 11 tone.

“We are meeting this document in Parliament for the first time,  and I wonder how we will answer to questions asked by constituents because we are unable to respond,” he said

Mr Salakae said it was important to ensure that contents of the two documents should also be translated into languages that were understood by Batswana.

He further said Batswana, who did not understand both Setswana and English were left outside the periphery of country development path.

Mr Salakae said the theme: Inclusive Growth for Realisation of Employment Creation and Poverty Eradication should be dissected in order to put it into proper context.

He further said it was crucial to channel resources in the sectors which could make a turn around to the economy of the country.

He said it was not clear as to what government intends to do with sectors such as BMC, whereas farmers have set a tone about how they feel with regards to monopolisation of the BMC.

“Farmers are grappling with selling excess produce in the beef sector, and these people over endowed with produce which they do not know where to sell to,” he said.

MP for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said MPs were not given the opportunity to contribute to the Vision 2036 and were only meeting it in Parliament for the first time.

He further said tourism and agriculture sectors should be supported as they could create job opportunities.

He also urged government to support small firms.

Okavango MP, Mr Bagalatia Arone said some ministries had leadership deficiency and should up their game.

He also said the agriculture sector had potential to turn around the country’s economic activity.

He further said there should be efforts to resuscitate textile industry in Selebi Phikwe to create jobs

MP for Kgalagadi South Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen said government should uproot all obstacles and impediments to Doing Business in Botswana which he said contributed to high unemployment rate.

He said most young people have the drive to start up their own businesses, but they were failed by requirements that impeded them to soldier on such as land acquisition, company registration and licences.

He also criticised failure of huge projects which huge sums of money were lost in, adding that the country should fully utilised its educated personnel rather than to rely on technocrats from outside the country.

MP for Francistown East, Mr Buti Billy said there was urgent need to devise strategies to create employment because unemployed youth may become destructive due to hopelessness.

He said NDP 11 should address matters relating doing business, which he said was contributing to high unemployment rate.

He further said the country at 50 years should be able to export skills because government has invested heavily in education.

Mr Billy further said through NDP 11 poverty should also be drastically reduced and inequality should be a thing of the past.

He also called for rural development adding that if attended to, may improve live style of rural populace and reduce migration to urban centres.

Mr Billy further suggested that government should tap and invest in solar energy that was readily available to improve industries performance.

“Most streets could be using solar energy because we are sure of sunlight on daily basis,” he said

MP for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu appreciated the draft NDP 11 document.

He said looking back to the past NDPs, Batswana should appreciate the peace and tranquillity that prevails in the country.

He commended the political leadership that was not divided with regards to issues of national interest despite their political affiliation. ENDS