03 Feb 2020

Over 80 per cent of the proposed P12.03 billion development budget will mainly be for continued implementation of ongoing projects such as in the water, energy, roads and ICT sectors as the key economic drivers that support transformation.

Delivering the budget speech in Parliament, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Thapelo Matsheka said the proposed development budget took into account the capacity constraints in the economy, which had affected the implementation of projects.

He said after the completion of ongoing projects, only new programmes and projects that supported transformation would be prioritised and funded going forward.

“In order to enhance implementation of projects, training on project management, including risk assessment, emotional intelligence and change management is ongoing to build the requisite capacity across government,” he said.

He further implored the private sector as a key stakeholders in project implementation to upscale its commitment to cost-effective, timely as well as good quality project implementation.

Dr Matsheka noted that in the coming financial year the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services would engage the private sector in the implementation of the Reclamation and Treatment of the Gaborone Wastewater.

He said the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security would engage a private sector developer for the coal-to-liquid project.

He said the feasibility studies for the two projects had been finalised and were under consideration by government.

Dr Matsheka said a number of activities to prepare for some projects for private sector participation through PPPs would be taken during the coming financial year and that the ministry would review the delivery model for PPP projects with a view to coordinating their effective delivery.

He noted that the Economy and Employment thematic working group (TWG) was allocated the largest share of the development budget ceiling at P6.93 billion.

Dr Matsheka explained that the allocation indicated that government was committed to improving services that would make the country more competitive as well as facilitating the ease of doing business by focusing on economic diversification initiatives, tourism development, land management, e-services and agriculture.

He said the main aim of the economic and employment thematic area was to promote inclusive economic growth and competitiveness through diversification of the economy, competitive human resources and creation of sustainable jobs.

He said the Social Upliftment TWG overall goal was to achieve a dignified life for all citizens through the delivery of programmes and projects that ensured the upliftment of economically marginalised and socially vulnerable groups. 

The proposed budget for social upliftment is P2.53 billion.

He said the Governance, Peace and Security TWG got P2.4 billion and that it had been identified as key developmental priorities to be pursued in NDP 11 in order to contribute towards the achievement of Vision 2036 pillar of governance, peace and security.

The Sustainable Environment TWG had been allocated P167.57 million.

Dr Matsheka said government would ensure that the implementation of programmes and projects across all sectors would mitigate and support the country to adapt to climate change. ENDS