15 Feb 2017

Letlhakeng-Lephephe legislator, Mr Liakat Kablay has implored ministers to ensure funds allocated to their ministries for 2017/18 financial year are fully utilised.
Debating the 2017/18 national budget proposals in Parliament on February 14, MP Kablay said funds returned at the end of financial year rob Batswana the much needed developments.
He said it was disheartening that even during the year of budget deficit, huge amounts of money return to government coffers while people in rural areas remain undeveloped.
MP Kablay called upon the government to speed up land allocation, saying failure to do so has made it difficult for Batswana to take advantage of services such as Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA).
He further said rural areas should be developed to curb rural-urban migration. The MP for Letlhakeng-Lephephe said poverty eradication was a good initiative but added that the turn-around time for beneficiaries to be assisted was of major concern. He also said Ipelegeng should be extended and not be used only to clear bushes but also to construct permanent structures in villages. Talking about the strike and subsequent closure of University of Botswana, MP Kablay called upon the MPs to denounce the destruction of property that occurred at the institution.
He said students should be taught the proper way of addressing their grievances without strikes. Contributing, MP for Gabane-Mmankgodi, Major General Pius Mokgware said the government had reneged on its promise of job creation. This comes after the Minister of Finance and Economic Development said the role of government is not to create jobs but to facilitate an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
MP Mokgware further said Batswana had been denied the right to hear an alternative voice as the Leader of Opposition was not provided with coverage by Botswana Television when he responded to the budget speech. He said people in his constituency take a long time to be allocated plots.
MP Mokgware further urged the finance minister not to increase taxes when they undertake review saying this would make life difficult for ordinary citizens. ENDS