09 Feb 2021

Member of Parliament for Shashe West, Mr Fidelis Molao says additional revenue collected from tax increases will enable the country to undertake developments and improve service delivery.

Airing his views on the 2021/22 national budget proposals presented last week, MP Molao said Batswana should not be discouraged by increases of Value Added Tax (VAT) and the introduction of new taxes as the country needed the money to fund its development projects.

He said VAT at 14 per cent remained the lowest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, adding that Botswana’s corporate tax was the lowest in the region.

MP Molao said Batswana should not think that they were being abused, but that the country needed additional revenue to undertake its development endeavours.

Turning to his constituency, the Shashe West MP said he was happy some developments earmarked for his constituency would be undertaken. He was also hopeful that all projects included in National Development Plan 11 (NDP 11) would be delivered.

He said while the country was facing challenges emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic, he was happy that the country was embarking on undertaking numerous developments through the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model.

Amongst projects to be done through PPP is the Francistown-Nata road, and the MP said it was important as it has economic benefits since it connected the country with neighbouring countries through the Nata-Mohembo road. MP Molao said the Francistown-Sebina road should be upgraded to a dual carriageway to deal with heavy traffic and increase in accidents.He further said they hoped the Mandunyane-Mathangwane road would be constructed.

The Shashe West legislator suggested that the PPP model could be used to construct an additional by-pass road, saying the country should brace for increased traffic and heavy vehicles following the completion of the Mohembo Bridge.

Projects in NDP 11 include the Sebina/Marapong police station and the upgrading of Sebina Clinic to a primary hospital.MP Molao said they were happy potable water had been provided at Borolong-Chadibe and was confident that Marobela and Nshakashokwe would also be connected to the Ntimbale Dam.

The MP, who is also Minister of Basic Education, said through the funds allocated to his ministry, 1 751 temporary teachers would be engaged on a permanent and pensionable basis.

He applauded teachers for sailing the storm and producing quality PSLE and JC results although they faced COVID-19 challenges with schools closed during lockdown.

MP Molao said it was important that Tutume and Tonota should to be declared fully fledged district councils, saying people were forced to travel to Serowe for services which was cumbersome and costly. BOPA Member of Parliament for Shashe West, Mr Fidelis Molao says additional revenue collected from tax increases will enable the country to undertake developments and improve service delivery.

Airing his views on the 2021/22 national budget proposals presented last week, MP Molao said Batswana should not be discouraged by increases of Value Added Tax (VAT) and the introduction of new taxes as the country needed the money to fund its development projects.

He said VAT at 14 per cent remained the lowest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, adding that Botswana’s corporate tax was the lowest in the region.

MP Molao said Batswana should not think that they were being abused, but that the country needed additional revenue to undertake its development endeavours.

Turning to his constituency, the Shashe West MP said he was happy some developments earmarked for his constituency would be undertaken. He was also hopeful that all projects included in National Development Plan 11 (NDP 11) would be delivered.

He said while the country was facing challenges emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic, he was happy that the country was embarking on undertaking numerous developments through the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model.

Amongst projects to be done through PPP is the Francistown-Nata road, and the MP said it was important as it has economic benefits since it connected the country with neighbouring countries through the Nata-Mohembo road. MP Molao said the Francistown-Sebina road should be upgraded to a dual carriageway to deal with heavy traffic and increase in accidents.He further said they hoped the Mandunyane-Mathangwane road would be constructed.

The Shashe West legislator suggested that the PPP model could be used to construct an additional by-pass road, saying the country should brace for increased traffic and heavy vehicles following the completion of the Mohembo Bridge.

Projects in NDP 11 include the Sebina/Marapong police station and the upgrading of Sebina Clinic to a primary hospital.MP Molao said they were happy potable water had been provided at Borolong-Chadibe and was confident that Marobela and Nshakashokwe would also be connected to the Ntimbale Dam.

The MP, who is also Minister of Basic Education, said through the funds allocated to his ministry, 1 751 temporary teachers would be engaged on a permanent and pensionable basis.

He applauded teachers for sailing the storm and producing quality PSLE and JC results although they faced COVID-19 challenges with schools closed during lockdown.

MP Molao said it was important that Tutume and Tonota should to be declared fully fledged district councils, saying people were forced to travel to Serowe for services which was cumbersome and costly. ends