29 Apr 2021

The State of Public Emergency and COVID-19 restrictions are meant to protect people from the pandemic, says the Francistown East legislator, Mr Buti Billy.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in his constituency, Mr Billy explained that the government’s current priority aimed at eradicating the disease.

“The decision by the President to extend the State of Emergency by another six months was meant to protect your lives,” he said.

He explained to residents that President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi was empowered to impose such restrictions if the lives of Batswana were in danger.

He refuted as false, perceptions by some people that the imposition of the state of emergency and other restrictions were a punishment by the current administration.

Mr Billy, also the Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development applauded frontline workers for combating the spread of the virus.

He also commended the Francistown business community to have heeded the government call by continuing to assist Batswana with food hampers and other necessities during these trying times.

Furthermore, MP Billy advised the residents to register for COVID-19 vaccine, adding that the vaccine was not a threat to humankind.

He also advised the constituents to utilise the Francistown East parliamentary office, which recently relocated from Nswazi Mall to Unit 12 near CEDA building in Francistown East constituency.

Mr Billy said the decision to relocate the office was meant to bring parliamentary services closer to the constituents, adding that Nswazi Mall was too far for the elderly.

He explained that if they were not satisfied with the service rendered by  his office, they should report the matter straight to him without fail.

He also informed residents about the bills that were passed in the recent budget parliamentary session that included the Income Tax Bill and the bill to increased Value Added Tax (VAT).

MP Billy explained that such bills were important in raising revenue to improve the lives of Batswana.

Also Adopted was the Climate Change Policy, as well as the Tourism Policy to align it with the current tourism trends which could in turn create employment for Batswana, especially the youth.

Earlier on in her welcome remarks, Kgosi Setumo Mogopodi said even though shifting in offices was adopted to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it had also affected service delivery.

She also underscored the need to register for the vaccine, saying perceptions that the vaccine was deadly were false.

Kgosi Mogopodi encouraged all eligible Batswana to get ready for COVID-19 vaccine.

Kgosi Mogopodi, who is one of the first batch of people to get the jab, explained that the vaccine was safe. Ends