03 Jun 2018

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has launched a new strategic plan, which will run from 2018 to 2023.

Officiating at the launch recently, local government and rural development acting minister, Mr Ngaka Ngaka said the plan, which sets out the ministry’s  vision for the next five years, was aligned to Vision 2036, NDP 11 and the Sustainable Developmnet Goals.

Through the strategic plan, Mr Ngaka said, the ministry would embark on a robust and comprehensive local government reform programme, focusing on targeted key focal areas of municipal management, economic development, social services, environmental health management, strengthened bogosi institutions, organisational effeciency through processes automation and resilient communities.

To deliver on the strategic plan, he said the ministry would only succeed through partnership between government, private sector and  the people.

He said the plan would be efficiently and effectively delivered through the ministry’s new vision of: Sustainable livelihood and effective local governance.

“This vision builds a national commitment of economy and employment, sustainable environment, social upliftment and governance, safety and security,” he said.

Mr Ngaka said commitment drived the national vision of prosperity for all and further emphasised the ministry’s commitment to affirming the national resolve of an inclusive society that ensured the social wellbeing of citizens.

Minister Ngaka said priority was placed on identifying appropriate outcome and impact indicators that would signal the achievement of the vision through improving local governance, strengthening social development, improving access to municipal services and providing access to integrated services delivery.

The objectives, the minister said, were aligned with the ministry’s mandate as well as themes of local governance, social development and integraded quality infrastructure.
    He further said the new mission to deliver social development services and municipal infrastructure through effective local government for improved lives of Batswana and value statements were aligned with the revised strategic direction.
  Mr Ngaka said the alignment of the ultimate objectives of the national themes included the ministry’s contribution to ensuring that Batswana enjoyed dignified lives through various social and economic empowerment programmes.
 

The joined efforts between the ministry and government to identify efforts to propel Botswana to greater heights in terms of economic stimulation, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
 

Given the continuing rise in unemployment, Minister Ngaka said harnessing the potential of every individual in the community to build a society where all Batswana took responsibility for themselves must be the main priority.

“At the heart of the strategic priority is the number one resource that Botswana has always relied upon, its people. We must ensure that this resource is being used to its full potential. It means that tackling unemployment has to be our top priority, especially for the youth,” he said.

 In his welcome remarks, local government and rural development permanent secretary, Mr Boipolelo Khumomatlhare said through the strategic plan, the ministry would contribute towards achievement of Vision 2036, NDP 11 and SDGs. He said the plan was also aligned to the ministry’s key objectives, values and themes as well as national themes.

In his closing remarks, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Col. Duke Masilo said the launch marked the end of a long process of strategy formulation, and the beginning of a five year journey of implementation.
 

“This strategic plan is a product of extensive consultation by our ministry with local authorities, dikgosi and other key stakeholders. We are confident that the strategic plan is a fair representation of the aspirations and goals of our ministry,” he said. Ends