Morwaeng presents Parliament budget
26 Feb 2020
Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration has applauded members of the 11th Parliament who passed 24 pieces of legislation during their tenure.
Presenting his ministry’s budget proposals on February 25, Mr Kabo Morwaeng applauded them for their swift and efficient response to critical issues that threatened Botswana’s development progress, considering penalties associated with non-compliance.
Amongst the bills that were passed by the past parliament were Transfer Duty (Amendment) Bill, Capital Transfer Bill, Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Trade Disputes (Amendment Bill) and the Appropriation Bill.
On the 12th Parliament, Minister Morwaeng said its key mandate was to align its legislative and oversight role to driving the National Development Plan (NDP) and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Vision 2036.
That, he said would be achieved through reviewed National Assembly Strategic Plan which had set out several strategic areas amongst them Quality Legislation, Increased Public Participation, Increased Accountability of Government Agencies and Quality Services.
He said the parliamentary committees such as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises played a pivotal role in executing oversight on implementation of government programmes and projects.
He said examinations were done to ensure stability, transparency and probity of government spending and their reports were tabled in Parliament for approval.
Again, he said his ministry was currently looking at the modalities of establishing a Parliament Budget Office adding however it would require additional manpower.
He said Parliament had also established a stand-alone portfolio committee on government assurances tasked with the mandate of overseeing implementation of commitments made by the President and the august house.
Parliament also introduced Leader of the House questions which were asked every two weeks.
A Special Select Committee was also established to oversee implementation of SDGs, critical for the achievement of Vision 2036.
However, Minister Morwaeng said government remained committed to seeing live broadcasting of debates.
He said Parliament was currently reviewing its broadcasting policy, adding however, it should commence before the end of the 2020/2021 period.
Minister Morwaeng presented over P156 million for the ministry’s recurrent budget, which was six per cent below the 2019/2020 budget as gratuities, motor vehicles and computers had been deducted.
He said the largest proportion of the budget, 58 per cent or P 90.4m would be used for personal emoluments and the remaining for operational costs.
The minister has also proposed over P10 million for the ministry’s development budget, adding P2.7 million was required for Botswana Speaks project.
He also requested P1 million on security upgrades in Parliament and P5.3 million for refurbishment and restoration of Parliament chambers while the remaining P1.8m would be used for Parliament computerisation.
In their debate, legislators called for live broadcasting of Parliament saying they did not understand they delay as the State of the Nation and Budget Speech including responses by Leaders of the Opposition and Minority Parties were broadcast live.
Tonota South MP, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said they should be provided with vehicles to enable them to visit their constituents regularly.
MP Wynter Mmolotsi of Francistown South said Parliament, as an arm of government, should be at par with other two arms with the Speaker equal with the Chief Justice.
Mr Mmolotsi argued that as an independent body, Parliament would be free from political influence and make its own policies.
He called for the reduction of ministries as they had killed the backbench, adding the number of ministries had also enabled Cabinet to have powers to make and pass policies as they had big numbers in Parliament.
He also decried the number of vacancies in Parliament saying that had made it difficult for committees to function.
He further said the P300 000 allocated to the parliamentary committees was insufficient.
Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga said the recurrent budget should be increased to P250 million saying the money could be sourced from other departments which had not used all their allocated funds.
He also decried the high number of vacancies, adding officers on internship should be given permanent jobs.
MP Majaga also argued for provision of subsidised vehicles for MPs.
On the other hand, MP David Tshere of Mahalapye West said Parliament should not be under the Office of the President but be an independent body with the Speaker at par with the Vice President.
In other issues, he said it was regrettable that the 8th and 10th Parliament adopted 88 motions and majority of them were never implemented. BOPA
Source : BOPA
Author : Tebagano Ntshole
Location : Gaborone
Event : Parliament
Date : 26 Feb 2020
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