31 Aug 2020

 Ministry of Finance and Economic Development managed to accomplish some important development projects in the first phase of the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 and is working on complementing them over the second period of the plan.

This was revealed by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Thapelo Matsheka, while presenting his ministry’s proposals for the NDP 11 Mid-Term Review, which are part of the Economy and Employment sector.

Dr Matsheka said the milestones achieved included the development of the MFED Monitoring Framework and Integrated Procurement Management System (IPMS) aimed at reducing turnaround time on registration and procurement processes.

He also said that they had managed to complete infrastructure development that included the construction of Shakawe, Hukuntsi and Charleshill revenue offices and staff housing, as well as porta cabins for residential accommodation at Bobonong, Tutume, Letlhakane, Maitengwe, Lobatse and Letlhakeng.

“Furthermore, houses were purchased from BHC at Palapye, Jwaneng, Tutume, Letlhakane, Mabutsane and Bobonong under the Public Officers Housing Initiative. All these were aimed at enhancing revenue collection as well as bringing services to the people across the country,” Dr Matsheka said.

The Lobatse legislator further told Parliament that his ministry had been allocated a total estimated cost of close to P1.3 billion for development during NDP 11, out of which just under P674 million was spent during the first half of NDP 11, leaving a balance of just over P610 million for the remainder of the plan period.

Some of the projects to be pursued for the remainder of NDP 11 will include the e-tax filing system that would enable taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically without having to leave their homes or workplaces, thus ensuring non-interruption of their schedules, while still complying with their national obligations.

The e-payslip on the other hand will allow for effective distribution of payslips electronically to public servants, reducing the cost of printing them monthly, while the e-procurement being developed by the ministry will be a ‘one stop shop’ for all procurement related activities.

“During the second half of NDP 11, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) will construct the Integrated ‘One Stop’ Border Post (OSBP) at Pioneer Border Post, refurbish Martins Drift and Mamuno border posts, construct staff houses at Ramatlabama Border Post and Letlhakane office as well as construct recreational facilities at Tlokweng Border Post,” Dr Matsheka said. Ends