28 Nov 2016

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale has presented P4.7 billion ministry budget to be approved for the National Development Plan (NDP 11).
Presenting the draft NDP 11 budget to Parliament on Friday, he said P180.9 million would be used to undertake a number of consultancies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery in National Monitoring and Evaluation System (NMES), Cluster Development, the Doing Business Roadmap and Action Plan, Vision 2036 performance surveys, public sector reforms  coordination and privatisation.
Mr Molale said P44.4 million was budgeted for the ministry computerisation in an effort to embrace the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
“The use of ICT services by government, business community and individuals is on the increase as supported by the e-government strategy.
ICT provides for effective use and a conducive environment for e-services to be accessed at ease,” he said.  Mr Molale said the ministry would also use the money to upgrade E-Cabinet system, purchase computers for staff, install the DCEC Case Management System in additional offices and establish a multi media studio that can be used to develop audio-visual educational materials.
Ministry infrastructure has been budgeted P149 million of which P34 million would go towards the establishment of retiring President’s accommodation and office as provided for in the Presidents Pension and Retirement Benefits Act. “An amount of P115 Million is proposed for the refurbishment of OP Office Facility (Orapa House) to provide additional office space due to the increase in functions of the ministry,” Mr Molale said.
Social Protection And Disaster Preparedness activities have been budgeted P2,1 billion to cater for programmes of Poverty Eradication, Empowerment of People With Disabilities and  Disaster Management.
Minister Molale further said improvement of broadcasting services had been budgeted for P557. 2 million, adding that as a way of improving the media coverage and information dissemination and bridging communication gap between urban and rural dwellers, the ministry will continue to upgrade transmitters and broadcasting facilities, procure radio and television equipment and establish Botswana Television second channel.
The amount will also cover the DPSM consultancies that include Human Resources Framework and Conditions of Employment.
Mr Molale said P10 million had been budgeted for Botswana Public Service College for renovation of the old administration block, kitchen block and staff flats at Botswana Public Service College.
He said P6 million was budgeted for strengthening of the Auditor General, P69 million for the strengthening of DCEC capabilities, charged with the responsibility of identifying and closing the gaps of corruption and economic crimes in the ministries, educating the public on the evils of corruption; and, investigating and apprehending the offenders.  
Other projects are strengthening of DIS capabilities, budgeted for P1.6 billion as one of the key priorities for NDP 11. ENDS