27 May 2018

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane says prudent approach to fiscal management is essential for all Batswana to benefit.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Orapa on May 24, Mr Tsogwane said sound fiscal management required that government expenditure be on things that mattered most to Batswana.

He said lack of funds dictated that some projects that were planned for be deferred such as upgrading of some areas from sub-district to district level which would require increased personnel and other associated costs that could lead government into debt.

Development plans, he said, should be done in stages and in an accountable manner.

He said former and current Boteti MPs advocated for the area to be upgraded to district level, but that it had not been possible due to lack of funds.

Mr Tsogwane said legislators proposed that government should come up with a formula which could be used to allocate bigger districts more funds since the current favoured smaller districts.

He encouraged government departments to share resources and enhance service delivery, cautioning them against working in silos.

Government, he said, advocated for services to be brought closer to people for convenience.

He said Botswana was a social welfare state and that  the wage bill incurred by government in taking care of the elderly and people living with disability was high and that if government was to cut on tax, such would impinge on government coffers.

The Vice President was responding to a request by Mr Bethel Mohinamone who had requested that Boteti be upgraded to a fully-fledged district because of its economic potential and population.

Ms Annah Maswikiti also requested the same and noted that accessing services from Serowe was an inconvenience while Mr Galeboe Sebakeng proposed that government should review the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority Act to allow small enterprises to sell paraffin since fuel stations were no longer supplying it.

Urban extension chairperson, Ms Kolobetso Seabe complained of lack of accommodation for Orapa tribal administration and immigration officers as well as for Orapa Junior Secondary School teachers.

She also complained of overstay of teachers and non replacement of those who were transferred.  ENDS