15 Feb 2022

The P100 increment for social welfare programmes is insignificant in this era of high inflation, Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, has said.

Contributing to the 2022/23 budget proposals debate on Monday, MP Hikuama said the Old Age Pension, which had also been increased by P100, was insufficient to cover expenses for the elderly.

He said the opposition remained resolute that the Old Age Pension should be increased to P1 500 per month.

MP Hikuama said while the government had increased allowances by P100, Value Added Tax (VAT) increase had resulted with prices going off the roof, hence the P100 could only be spent on few items.

He said government should come up with programmes that would empower low income communities, adding that Ipelegeng should be transformed to enable people to acquire skills they could use to earn income.

While welcoming the P3 billion to be spent on maintenance, he said local companies contracted should be empowered to enable them to complete the projects.

MP Hikuama further called for the development and support of the agricultural sector.

For his part, MP for Gaborone North, Mr Mpho Balopi said it was important to complete on-going projects rather than start new ones and abandon them due to budgetary constraints.

He called for a mindset change, saying without that the country would lose opportunities to attain its vision.

MP Balopi said Botswana should position itself as the Southern Africa region’s transport hub and also called for an improvement in productivity as it would reduce level of unemployment.

The legislator also called for development of amenities in Gaborone North saying the area was in need of sewerage facilities, proper roads and streetlights.

Tati West lawmaker, Mr Simon Moabi, said Batswana should be happy as social programmes allowances had been increased despite that the country was experiencing financial difficulties.

He said accounting officers should be held responsible for unused development funds as they rob citizens much needed infrastructure.

MP Moabi further said the long promised clinic in Zwenshambe should be built together with nurse’s accommodation or nurses be provided with 15 per cent housing allowance.

He further said there should be a fire station in Masunga.

Mr Moabi called for decentralization, saying currently people in his constituency were disadvantaged as procurement was done in Gaborone.

Furthermore, he called upon all MPs to unite against corruption.

Meanwhile, MP for Mahalapye East, Mr Yandani Boko, welcomed the P3 billion on maintenance and like most MPs he said majority of projects should be reserved for citizens.

He said some of the local contractors had faced difficulties due to unavailability of projects.

MP Boko called for the sufficient funding of Mahalapye bus rank, saying it was busy as it was used by various buses from different places.

He further welcomed the absorption of 3 000 temporary teachers.

MP Boko said he was concerned that people in Palla Road experienced water shortages despite living close to a major pipeline. ENDs