17 Mar 2022

Infrastructure is essential for economic growth and wealth creation. Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele said this at the opening of a two-day development and technical services virtual retreat on Wednesday in Gaborone.

“The more we develop our infrastructure, the more the chances of people coming out of poverty, as such developments determine the size and destination of investment and tourist inflows, which bring about sustainable employment opportunities and inclusive growth,” he said.

He told the participants: “As highly trained developers, engineers, technicians and artisans, you are the catalysts and drivers of rural and urban development through the provision of good quality infrastructure, which remains one of the most critical requirements for attaining faster growth in a highly competitive global space and also for ensuring investment in our local economies.”

He said the retreat was taking place at a crucial moment when the ministry was rolling out its five-year Strategy and Transformation Plan for 2021 through 2025.

Mr Modukanele pointed out that the ministry’s new strategic direction was aligned to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Reset Agenda, Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan, National Development Plan and Vision 2036.

The ministry, he explained, was engaging in its new strategic direction, whose main thrust was to provide effective and efficient local services and infrastructure with a view to building resilient, inclusive and sustainable local economies.

The onus, he said, was on the participants, who he urged to go beyond their limitations to expedite community development and rural industries thereby facilitating growth of village economies.

The assistant minister held this would enable rural communities to satisfactorily contribute towards government’s unwavering commitment to creating wealth and growing economies through provision of infrastructure relevant to growth of villages and settlements.

Therefore, it would sustain the people in villages and address challenges associated with urbanisation.

Mr Modukanele expressed concern over inefficient implementation of projects, saying it led to delays and substandard execution.

He emphasised the importance of identifying and addressing existing and emerging challenges hindering decision-making processes as the first step towards progress.

He further urged the participants to adhere to the long-standing principles and values of accountability, good governance and ethical conduct.

Moreover, he said, it was imperative to remove deep-rooted administrative and procedural corruption as early as possible to ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of public services. ENDS