06 Nov 2016

MP for Ngami, Mr Thato Kwerepe has called on government to channel more resources into the tourism sector as it has the potential to diversify the economy away from the mineral sector.

Debating the draft National Development Plan (NDP) 11 in Parliament, he said tourism has the potential to create employment opportunities and could contribute immensely in lowering the unemployment rates.

Mr Kwerepe further said government should support small businesses under the tourism sector such as the basketry weaving that people from Etsha are well known of.

He further said the BCL closure should not be a shock to public because the mine was no longer making any profits, hence the need to diversify the economy by looking into other sectors.

MP for Kanye South Abram Kesupile said the prevailing unproductive systems and processes in government were contributing to the unproductive workforce.

He said it has become a norm that politics overpower economic planning, because many projects were failed by the tide at which politics were going.

He said government for the past NDPs has failed to define what he expected from the labour force, but instead was pointing an accusing finger when things went wrong.

Mr Kesupile further said many Batswana continued to live in abject poverty because of unsustainable jobs such as Ipelegeng.

“Sometimes I wonder as to whether Ipelegeng is included under employment creation because many people work under Ipelegeng and are counted as working,” he said.

He also said some communities did not have basic facilities such as clinics and provision of portable water.

MP also said there was no thematic implementation of projects because departments or ministries were not aligned systematically. He called on ministers to consider during implementation of the plan to review the progress before end of the NDP.

MP for Gabane –Mmankgodi Maj. Gen. Pius Mokgware said the NDP 11 theme of 'Inclusive Growth for Rationalisation of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication' was not clearly espoused in the document.

He said NDP 11 should have among the thematic areas clearly defined the populace, urbanisation, ICT, security and globalisation.

He said these areas were not well-defined because in the upcoming years, ICT era would be embraced globally, which he said should have been clearly captured in NDP 11, hence the document was a distant dream.

“It is a reality that technology will rule life in the coming years,” he said.

Maj Gen. Mokgware further accused government for fuelling unemployment rate since 2008.

He said the entertainment industry that contributed to employment creation has been the hardest hit during the introduction of alcohol levy when many people lost jobs as the entertainment industry became handicapped.

On other issues, Maj. Gen Mokgware said government should empower youth through simplifying Doing Business in Botswana and supporting local products.

He also condemned some parastatals for failing government, and were not tasked to account for making loses.

MP for Palapye, Mr Moiseraele Goya suggested that NDP 11 should be driven by efficiency and innovativeness.

“I am confident that if implemented successfully, it can be in a position to position the country to be competitive,” he said.

Mr Goya said it was desirable for the NDP 11 to achieve in developing diversified sources of economic growth.

He also said government should take responsibility to address challenges and limitations within the private sector structures.

Mr Goya further stated that NDP 11 should be seen to be supportive to export-led economy that would create more employment opportunities. ENDS