10 Feb 2022

Tonota Legislator, Mr Pono Moatlhodi has called on government to build the proposed drug manufacturing plant in Tonota.

Debating the budget speech on Wednesday, Mr Moatlhodi said Tonota constituency was an ideal location to build the project as water and land was abundant in the area.
He said the ideal piece of land was located between Semotswane and Mandunyane villages, adjacent to the main A1 road and railway line for easy transportation of vaccines.

MP Moatlhodi said allocating the largest share of the budget to the Ministry of Health and Wellness showed determination by government to improve health services.
Though appreciating efforts geared towards the betterment of health services, Mr Moatlhodi was concerned by the status of health facilities in his constituency.

He said they had long been promised a primary hospital in Tonota, but nothing had materialised. However, he was optimistic that all was not lost and urged government to consider funding the project in the near future.

Mr Moatlhodi also suggested that the Masedi clinic at Tonota be turned into a dental wing.
In addition, he appealed to the health ministry to intervene on the issue involving Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMME) traders who had to incur high costs of COVID-19 tests at the border post as they travelled to and from Zambia to buy stock. He said a return trip cost P1 600 per person for COVID-19 tests.

MP Moatlhodi raised a concern about underutilisation of funds which ended up being returned while projects remained unimplemented.
Meanwhile, Jwaneng-Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile noted that the budget speech was informed by the NDP 11 midterm review. Mr Reatile said failure to complete projects on time, escalating costs and sub-standard works remained a major challenge.Mr Reatile said even though appreciating the importance and the impact of the proposed expansion of the A1 road into a dual carriage, he was concerned that his constituency was not catered for.

He said the budget did not mention any allocation of funds to develop the A1 road, and therefore was wondering how government was going to source funds to finance the project.
Mr Reatile was equally concerned over the delays in completing some ongoing road projects in the country.

He said his constituency appeared to have been forgotten as it had not been included in the development agenda.
On health related issues, Mr Reatile said congestion experienced at Princess Marina Hospital emergency wing was a concern demanding urgent attention.

Also contributing to the debate, Takatokwane MP, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe applauded the return of Community Constituency Projects (CCP) funding aimed at pushing the development agenda in the rural communities.

He however raised concern that his constituency did not get a share from the development budget.
Mr Leuwe also applauded the idea of establishing a vaccine manufacturing plant, saying through the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI), the country had proven its capability to produce enough vaccines to export to other countries.

He concurred that healthcare was a priority, but indicated that his constituency faced shortage of drugs. ENDS