27 Feb 2020

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration says government is committed to improving relations with trade unions.

Responding to comments on the ministry’s 2020/2021 budget proposals on Wednesday, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said a good relationship between government and trade unions would benefit employees and improve service delivery.

Mr Morwaeng said Parliament had resolved on the issue of Botswana Speaks requested by Members of Parliament.

He also indicated that it had been resolved that MPs recommended to the Speaker of the National Assembly those they wished to employ in their constituencies and such positions would take effect from April 1 this year.

In addition, Mr Morwaeng said government was embarking on a rationalisation project of government ministerial portfolios.

He said the exercise would ensure efficiency and effectiveness as well as remove any overlaps or duplication.

“The exercise is at an advance stage and government will soon announce the outcome which will include relocation of implementation portfolios to relevant ministries as well as renaming some ministries,” he said.

On Constitutional review, Mr Morwaeng said the process had far reaching implications and required comprehensive preparations and consultation which was however ongoing.

He said government was also committed to Constitutional review, adding Cabinet was considering a proposed plan which would be shared upon approval.

Meanwhile, Members of Parliament had applauded the presidential affairs, governance and public administration ministry’s 2020/2021 recurrent and development budget proposals of over P1.6 billion and P5m respectively, which Minister Morwaeng had presented for approval

Commenting on the budget proposals, Member of Parliament for Kanye South, Dr Lemogang Kwape applauded the minister saying the budget proposal was aligned to Vision 2036, the national budget as well as the country’s transformation agenda.

Highlighting some of the key factors on the budget proposal, Dr Kwape noted public sector reforms in the national transformation strategy which he said was a blue print for the development of the country.

He noted that the strategy sought to catapult Botswana from an upper middle income to a higher income country by 2036.

Dr Kwape also indicated that when government transformed public sector the emphasis should be on service delivery, particularly with a human face.

He said change in mindset would help the country and government to transform service delivery.

Further, Dr Kwape commended the minister on the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases, which he argued were a number one cause of death worldwide.

He said raising awareness on them was of paramount importance.

He also commended government’s commitment to partnering with development partners and civil society as well as the private sector.

On the broadcasting services department, Dr Kwape commended the department’s transition from analogue to digital.

He said the budget proposal should be acceded to enable the department to deliver on the transition.

Also, he indicated that the transition talked to what the transformation strategy on the leverage of ICT to deliver on the knowledge-based economy.

Member of Parliament for Chobe, Mr Ronald Shamukuni also applauded the budget proposals and applauded the minister on efforts and commitment to engage with trade unions.

Mr Shamukuni noted that peaceful and successful negotiations with trade unions contributed to efficient service delivery.

Bobonong legislator, Mr Taolo Lucas urged the ministry to show commitment to people living with disabilities, arguing that government should be at par with international laws regarding people with disabilities.

Mr Lucas also challenged government to make provision for people with disabilities in government buildings and facilities, most of which he said were inappropriate for daily use.

Meanwhile, Parliament approved the ministry’s budget. Ends