24 Feb 2021

Gaborone Central MP, Mr Tumisang Healey says the country has brilliant economic policies which have never been implemented.

Debating the 2021/22 budget proposals, MP Healy said action should be taken against public officers who were insubordinate and were sabotaging government.

He said public officers had to deliver and that they should have a sense of duty and honour.

He lamented lack of efficiency in government spending and poor productivity in the public sector as well as inefficient procurement systems.

The Gaborone Central MP said there should be an oversight office that oversaw efficiency in government spending, and that it should report directly to Parliament and share the information with the public.

Mr Healy said he was troubled by institutionalised corruption in the country and that the rot had to be addressed in the public service and private sector. He welcomed the rationalisation of parastatals and said the Local Enterprises Authority (LEA) should be one of those.

He added that it could exist as a department under the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).

Mr Healy said LEA created one job from P1 million spent and that it was a waste of public funds. With regard to Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), Mr Healy said it should be engaged in the privatisation process to enable Batswana to invest through buying shares.

While some parastatals are on the red, Mr Healy hailed Botswana Savings Bank (BSB) for continuously posting profits.

On carbon tax, he wondered whether only second hand imported vehicles were emitting harmful gases.

He suggested that vehicles older than 10 years should not be allowed in the country, saying government should not be seen to be favouring some businesses over others.

He further said there was need to improve service projects, adding that the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) should be restructured. ENDS