21 Nov 2018

Francistown  East Member of Parliament, Mr Buti Billy has called on government to expedite plans to turn Francistown into a transport hub, as this could help improve the immediate future economic prospects of the country’s second largest city.

MP Billy expressed the sentiments while contributing to the National Assembly debate on the State-of-the-Nation Address on November 19.

He said Francistown was well positioned to service neighbouring states in the transport business since there was already substantial transport, freight and logistics business movement to countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe that pass through the city.

He also urged government to look into other avenues that could boost economic activity in Francistown, calling for a similar arrangement to the Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) to be launched in Francistown.

“Long before the closure of the BCL Mine in Selebi Phikwe, we had the SPEDU initiative to look into how government and other stakeholders could boost trade in that town and its surrounding areas.  We have had the closure of the Tati Nickel Mine in Francistown; and it is clear the city also needs an economic development unit to look into diversifying its economy,” Mr Billy said.

Agreeing with the President that there was need to further transform the country’s economy, Mr Billy said any efforts to further generate funds into the economy should include measures to ensure that the ordinary Batswana benefit from economic progress.

“The country could be better served by us sharing the economic cake better. 

The tender process should be transparent and allow different companies to benefit, instead of the same old companies all the time,” Mr Billy said.

He also said that for Botswana to be globally competitive, the country’s institutions of higher learning needed to offer an education of international standard.  “We have fly by night institutions mushrooming on top of garages,” Mr Billy lamented, adding, “We cannot expect to compete globally if we allow our youth to be offered mediocre education.

We also need to protect those who engage in informal trade, encourage them to form cooperatives, so that they can better complement the formal sector.”Mr Billy lamented the closure of Botswana Meat Commission in Francistown, and also said Economic Stimulation Programme projects were also not visible in the city. 

He also called for the working conditions of Botswana Defence Force, Prisons and Police service employees to be improved as those workers were vital for national security. ENDS