18 Feb 2021

The  Gaborone Bonnington North Member of Parliament, Ms Anna Mokgethi has called upon Batswana to take advantage of opportunities availed by government to improve their lives during these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic.

Debating the 2021/22 budget proposals, Ms Mokgethi said Batswana should take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to invest and export to other countries, as that would enable Botswana to have an export-led economy.

She further said the P1.3 billion Industry Support Fund would also help Batswana business owners who had been affected by the pandemic.

The MP said Botswana had had a poor value for money such that houses in Bonngington North had not been occupied 10 years since their completion.

She however welcomed the finance and economic development minister’s introduction of zero budgeting.

Ms Mokgethi further welcomed the development of the Demographic Dividend Roadmap, saying that should go a long way in improving the lives of youths.

She also appreciated that local authorities had been called to generate their own income instead of solely depending on the central government for funding.

Ms Mokgethi welcomed the construction of a primary school in her constituency, saying it would offer relief to Block 6 residents. She added that she had long advocated for the school since 2019.

She further said the creatives sector should be fully developed and funded as it could create permanent jobs especially for the youth.

Ms Mokgethi decried the poor state of internal roads and lack of storm water drainage system in her constituency. 

She noted that the clinic in Bosele ward did not have a doctor while clinics did not have ambulances.

The MP further complained about frequent outages of power and water in Taung, Block 6 and Block 7. Ends