08 Dec 2016

Members of Parliament  on Wednesday (December 7) responded to the President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s State-of-the-Nation Address.

MP for Francistown South Mr Wynter Mmolotsi said the collapse of mines in the country calls for people to be innovative and creative in order to augment for the volatile economy.

He said it was worrying that parastatals were retrenching employees something he  said would add on the already high unemployment woes

Mr Mmolotsi said corruption rate was alarming though some of it was concealed and not reported stating that it needed to be discussed.

The MP further argued  that poverty was worrying as some Batswana still go to sleep hungry which he said contributed to Batswana being rated as the most unhappy people in the world.

He said  health care system needed to be dealt with as some patients are admitted in overcrowded wards where there is even shortage of staff to attend to them.

MP for Francistown West Mr Ignatius Moswaane concurred that some Batswana go to bed hungry which he said was an urgent matter that should be addressed.

He indicated that P100 000 grant money that was given to women to start their business was a small figure hence it should be increased. Mr Moswaane said the minimum wage should be reviewed so as to match with the inflation that keeps on increasing.

The Francistown West legislator said he was against the closure of the BCL mine which he said had crippled the Selebi Phikwe and Francistown.

The MP stated that many businesses are shutting down as a result of BCL closure adding that these would result in people moving out of the town.

MP for Gaborone North Mr Haskins Nkaigwa called on President Khama to put aside a day of prayer once a month for the naation to pray for Botswana.

He stated that MP’s  and councillors and all leaders of community needed to take the lead and support churches adding that even leaders needed to be closer to God.

However he noted that President Khama in his speech did not talk about how government would tackle poverty as figures continue to go up.

He said  that it is worrying that companies are liquidating and retrenching which meant more Batswana would be left without jobs.

Mr Nkaigwa urged government to change attitude towards trade unions and create a conducive working environment to protect workers.MP for Takatokwane Mr Ngaka Ngaka said he supported the closure of BCL mine because the mine had been limping for a very long  time compelling government to rescue it.

He said his constituency was facing water shortage because it has no dams and rivers hence asking government to address the situation promptly.

MP for Nata/ Gweta Mr Polson Majaga said the land acquisition should be made easy for Batswana instead of taking more than 10 years  to allocate land.

Mr Majaga expressed worry over the stagnation of Sowa Township  adding that plots had not been allocated since 1990 which he said hindered  the town's growth.

He said it is time Batswana youth  are given an opportunity to head parastatals so as to apply the knowledge they acquired from their studies.

MP for Boteti East Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe  suggested that the youth should be given an opportunity  form  groups so as to get loans from government to build hotels.

He advised the youth to venture into tourism related businesses since  Botswana is endowed with tourism. ENDS