28 Nov 2016

The Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security needs P17.9 billion budget for projects during the NDP11, says Minister Shaw Kgathi.
Presenting budgetary proposal on Tuesday Minister Kgathi said the overall NDP 11 ceiling for the ministry of more than P17.9 billion shows an increase of 45 per cent over the NDP 10 budget, which amounted to P9.7billion.
Mr Kgathi said although the proposed NDP 11 budget represents an increase of 45 per cent from the previous NDP budget, the increase falls short of covering the ministry’s critical needs, particularly in areas such as, prisons and police facilities.
The largest share of the budget, P14.8 billion is allocated to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF in an effort to strengthen national defence.
Mr Kgathi said BDF’s key projects envisaged for NDP 11 would entail investment in defence equipment, air assets, vehicles, communication equipment and infrastructure development.
“These projects are necessitated by issues of obsolescence, degraded capabilities, acute shortage of accommodation and the need to ensure smart procurement and development without necessarily incurring exorbitant costs,” he said.
Mr Kgathi further said the ceiling for the ministry headquarters development activities is P178, 2 million that will be used for construction of border patrol route, the project that caters for border reaffirmation; rehabilitation and construction of beacons along the boundary lines with neighbouring countries; and the construction of border patrol routes to facilitate easy movement of security agencies.
He said a total P38 million has been allocated to cover the border reaffirmation process.
Minister Kgathi further said a total of P8 million has been budgeted for Integrated MDJS ICT Systems that caters for procurement of computers and accessories, net-working of all strategic offices and training for the ministry.
“The project will also cater for the installation of a data and biometric system in the Dukwi Refugee Camp to enhance registration, management and demographics of all refugees, including the issuance of machine readable identity cards which has a relationship with the control of cross border migration,” he said.
Mr Kgathi further said the Dukwi Refugee Camp infrastructure is meant to improve the standard of living of the camp populace, which has been allocated P83million.
The ministry will also during the plan period increase vehicle fleet for the ministry and Dukwi Refugee Camp at a total of P31.2 million.
He said Legal Aid Botswana programme that assists Batswana who cannot afford the costs of legal representation has been allocated P18million for the establishment of Legal Aid Offices in Palapye and Ghanzi.
He said funds amounting to P2, 4 billion have been allocated for the Botswana Police Service developmental activities.
The budget will be used for the completion of the ongoing Gaborone Block 10 at P100million, establishment of police posts and base camps throughout the country at P60million and completion and purchase of forensic science equipment for the ongoing forensic laboratory at P225 million.
He further said P32 million will be used for the BPS Hangar, P921 million to construct Police Stations and staff houses in Letlhakane, Mmathubudukwane, Semolale, Maitengwe, Mmadinare, Ramokgonami, Mmashoro, Tutume, Ghanzi, Sebina, Phitshane-Molopo, Matsiloje, Molepolole, Serowe, Tatitown, Gweta, Kalkfontein, Mmathethe and Tsetsebjwe, Gaborone Central as well as construction of Workshops at SSG Francistown, Gaborone Central and Serowe.
Mr Kgathi further said P100 million will be used for the Police Headquarters expansion while P20 million has been allocated for Dikgonnye Horse Stables, Dog kennels, magazine, impounded motor vehicles yard.
A total of P155 million has also been budgeted for the provision of houses in Tsabong, Molapowabojang, Marapong, Werda, Tshane, Thamaga, Good Hope, Bobonong and Kang.
Fifty Million Pula has been allocated for air support and P62million for purchase of specialised vehicles.
The Department of Prisons and Rehabilitation budget is P477.9 million allocated for strengthening prisons services to fund fencing of prison facilities in selected prisons at P50milion,
He said P15million will be used for purchase of prisons security equipment, P20million for fleet expansion and P80million for the construction of prisons headquarters building and P15 million for construction of staff housing and a total of P48million for improvements to Mahalapye Prison, Mochudi Prison, Serowe Prisons Phase II, Gaborone Women's Prison.
P45 million has been spared for construction of high security wing at Kasane Prison, Tshane Prison and Sepopa, P2,4  million for the expansion of dog unit and P30 million for prisons staff college phase II, P8million for purchase of communications equipment.
A total of P80 million has been budgeted for the establishment of rehabilitation centre in Lobatse, P7million for purchase of Gaborone Prison Complex - kitchen and laundry equipment, P51 million for purchase of farming infrastructure and equipment as well as P5 million for the introduction of a case management system and P16.5 million for the development of Prisons Management System. ENDS