11 Feb 2021

Gaborone North MP, Mr Mpho Balopi has assured Batswana that government will continue to steer the country towards improvement of livelihoods for all Batswana.

Debating the budget proposals for 2021/22 on Monday, MP Balopi said the country had faced many storms before, and that government had always managed to steer the ship.The Gaborone North MP appealed to Batswana to remain hopeful that government would implement appropriate measures to take the country from the challenges emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our government has never and will never fail this nation,” he said.

MP Balopi also said it was time for all politicians to set their differences aside and work together to fight the pandemic.

He welcomed development projects to be undertaken through Public Private Partnerships (PPP), adding that it was time the private sector was engaged in various infrastructural developments in the country.

He also said financial institutions tasked with funding Batswana should not just hand out money, but should provide mentoring services as well.MP Balopi further said the country should change its development strategy. He said instead of undertaking multiple projects at a time, there should be one mega project. He decried poor storm water drainage in his constituency.

The Gaborone North MP, who is also Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, said they would meet with businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to chart the way forward as some were struggling to pay salaries.

He also applauded Motswedi Junior Secondary School for the excellent performance in the just released JC results, saying it showed dedication and commitment from all stakeholders.

For his part, Serowe North MP, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe said government could have first dealt with wastage of funds before increasing taxes.He further said horticulture plots in Serowe and Palapye should be allocated only to serious farmers and not people who would rent them out to other farmers.

MP Mathoothe also suggested that government should acquire the Pfizer vaccinations, saying they were more effective against COVID-19 and cost about P150 each hence affordable.He further said oil exploration activities in the North West District should not be a secret because of the economic benefits the country stood to accrue should it become a viable project. ends