16 Feb 2017

The cost of Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) expansion under the National Development Plan (NDP11) is P385 million, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia has told Parliament. He said BUAN maintenance management for 2017/18 is being prepared, following the recent national budget allocation. He however said the maintenance budget for 2016/17 was P3 million. Mr Ralotsia further said in line with the BUAN Transformation Plan, the university would be functional with all necessary infrastructure by the end of NDP 11. He said as a general policy, ‘BUAN does not provide free housing to its employees.’ He however said for housing units that are available, the houses are allocated on needs basis and expatriates are given priority. He said due to budgetary constraints, it had not been possible to adequately refurbish the existing houses as planned. The minister was responding to a question from Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa, who had asked as to how much was budgeted for the expansion and maintenance of BUAN. Mr Nkaigwa also wanted to know what the funds would specifically be utilised for and the completion and functional of the facility with all the necessary infrastructure. Again, he also wanted to know how housing needs for support staff and lecturers were addressed. ENDS