16 Nov 2016

Members of Parliament on November 14 continued to debate Chapter 6 on the draft National Development Plan (NDP) 11 with most of them calling for various projects in their respective constituencies.

Chapter 6 of the NDP 11 addresses the thematic area of economy and employment spearheaded by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

MP for Mahalapye East, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said the road connecting Dibete-Maokane and Machaneng would benefit the villagers through employment creation.

She said agriculture could benefit the country through employment creation and ensuring food security adding however, the researchers in the sector were being ignored.

The Mahalapye East legislator called for the establishment of community radio stations saying they would enable people to communicate effectively about projects that affect them.

She said she does not understand the reasons for funding research in climate change when it has already been undertaken and only implementation of recommendations was required.

MP Tshireletso called for speedy allocation of serviced residential plots adding arable land should be bought from the owners where necessary to enable more people to have houses.

 Dr Tlamelo Mmatli, who is the MP for Molepolole South said the plan does not explicitly state how the government would attract foreign investors.

He said while a number of countries are globetrotting looking for investors, the government was laid back expecting investors to knock on the borders.

Dr Mmatli said the government’s policy of zero growth in public service has negatively affected service delivery as employees who resign or retire, are not replaced.

He called for projects undertaken under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) to follow the normal trending procedures to avoid corrupt practices.

MP for Letlhakeng – Lephephe, Mr Liakat Kablay nearly almost dismissed the draft plan saying it does not have anything for his constituents.

Mr Kablay said people in his constituency do not have access to portable water and the plan does not have a road project for his area.

He further said, a school at Ngware was in NDP 10 but was shocked to find it was not included in the new plan although a plot had been allocated and design had been completed. .

MP Ngaka Ngaka of Takatokwane also said his constituents have no access to portable water.

He decried lack of project implementation and said this should be emphasised in the new plan.

Tati East MP, Mr Samson Guma said he was worried as some projects which were already budgeted for were not included in the NDP 11.

He wondered how the projects would be funded if they approve the draft NDP 11 as they are not budgeted for in the plan.

MP Guma further said the allocations did not state how they addressed unemployment and economic growth.

 MP for Ramotswa, Mr Samuel Rantuana said developments were concentrated along the eastern corridor hence they were overwhelmed by long list of residential plots.

He called for equal distribution of developments saying even the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (BUAN) could have been taken to Ghanzi.

Mahalapye West MP, Mr Joseph Molefe said the waste water reuse project should run parallel with poverty eradication programme.

MP Edwin Batshu of Nkange said lack of project implementation had robbed Batswana of needed developments.

He said the government should ensure all resources are available to ensure projects are undertaken without hindrances.

MP for Tlokweng, Ms Same Bathobakae said border fences should be maintained properly as their dilapidated state provides advantage to cross border criminal activities.

She further said Tlokweng was a big village which also needs its own senior secondary school. BOPA