04 Apr 2017

Parliament continues to debate a motion to allow the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to secure a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), a subsidiary of the World Bank, amounting to P1.5 billion to address water challenges across the country.

The terms of the loan, minister Kenneth Matambo explained when making a classification, were favourable as it has to be paid at a London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), payable over a period of 19 and a half years with a grace period of four years.

Contributing to the debate, the MP for Takatokwane, Mr Ngaka Ngaka said he was worried as his constituency was not included in the projects to be undertaken, while MP Fidelis Molao of Shashe West said he was happy there were numerous projects that would benefit his constituency.

Mochudi East MP, Mr Isaac Davis said residents of Bokaa were faced with water shortages yet they host a dam, and further said the water treatment plant in Mabalane had broken down.

The MP for Mmadinare, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila also said he was happy as there would be a water pipeline linking Mmadinare and Serule through which Damochujenaa would be fed.

He said people in his constituency had been wondering why they were thirsty yet they housed the country’s two largest dams, Dikgatlhong and Letsibogo.For his part, Molepolole South MP, Dr Tlamelo Mmatli said the water situation in the country does not call for an emergency loan, and that other sources of funding were available.

He said funds allocated to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF),  for example, could be channeled to address water challenges as the country was not facing any imminent threat.

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse also said the country should not just borrow as that would someday result with difficulties.

He said the government has secured a number of loans such as P11 billion from the World Bank to fund the Morupule B Power Plant which he described as a corruption monument.

MP Keorapetse said his constituency should be provided with a sewerage system.

Another loan, he said, was secured to develop the Kazungula Bridge and he wondered if the government would be able to service all of them. The MP for Shoshong, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele and Tati East

MP, Mr Guma Moyo also supported the bill, with the latter saying the North East region has been included in areas that stand to benefit from the loan. ENDS