17 Jul 2018

The third meeting of the fourth session of the 11th  Parliament ended on July 13, with Speaker of the Nation Assembly, Ms Gladys Kokorwe declaring it one of the most progressive sitting in Parliament history.
 

Briefing the media recently, Ms Kokorwe stated that the winter session which started on June 4, witness the swearing in of two new Members of Parliament, being Mochudi East MP, Mr Bright Molebatsi and Moshupa-Manyana legislator Mr Karabo Gare.

 She expressed delight over the fact that Parliament  debated and passed 25 Bills  in just six weeks, something which she said was commendable as it reflected on the commitment that legislators  had on serving their electorate.

Of the 25 Bills debated, she said only the Tourism (Amendment)Bill,2017 (Bill No.24 of 217 was deferred.Ms Kokorwe added that 19 motions were received for consideration by Parliament, three of which were adopted while two were rejected and one was deferred and would be discussed at a later date.

She noted that Parliament on June 20, adopted a motion tabled by Maun East MP Mr Kostantinos Markus requesting government to consider lifting the ban on the hunting and shooting of elephants in areas that were not designated as game reserves and national parks.  

She also stated that Nata-Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga’s motion requesting government to consider setting up a National Road Development Agency was also adopted on June 22.

Ms Kokorwe indicated the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure from Development Fund, contained in Financial Paper No 1 of 2018 was also adopted on July 12.   

The final day of the winter session, she said ended on a high as parliament adopted the Report of the 138th Inter Parliamentary Union Assembly and related meeting which was presented by Gaborone Bonninington North MP, Advocate Duma Boko.

With regard to rejected motions, Ms Kokorwe said Jwaneng- Mabutsane MP, Mr Shaw Nthaile’s motion on requesting government to introduce a decent living wage policy for Botswana was rejected.

She added that Adv. Boko’s motion of no confidence on President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his government was also rejected.

Debates on requesting Parliament to resolve that the report of the Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises particularly Botswana Tourism Organization were adjourned until the next session of Parliament.

She said  Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms Dorcas Makgato and  her counterpart from Finance and Economic Development, Mr Kenneth Matambo both presented statements each on administrative impediments identified to improve service delivery and another on the management of government special funds and their current status respectively.

Further, Ms Kokorwe said 219 questions were received, of which 202 were noticed and 149 answered adding that seven questions were received for Ministers question time, with six being noticed and four being answered.

Meanwhile, she said Botswana would  from August  13-22 host Commonwealth Parliamentary Association  regional conference. ENDS