15 Nov 2022

Minister of Finance, Ms Peggy Serame has officially opened the Hukuntsi revenue office and six staff houses valued at P43 million.

Speaking during the ceremony  recently, Ms Serame said the construction of such facilities in Hukuntsi, Shakawe and Charleshill showed that the ministry was committed to improving service delivery in economically challenged constituencies.

She noted that the buildings would enable customers and staff to interact in a more spacious and convenient facility. 

She also said working in a conducive environment with good accommodation would boost staff morale and increase productivity.

The minister said the building of the facilities was in line with government’s objective of taking services closer to communities and providing more services.

Ms Serame also expressed hope that the facilities would aid in retaining staff, adding that staff retention in outer stations was a challenge.

On other issues, the finance minister urged businesses and individuals to comply with the requirements of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA).

She added that it was critical for the country to comply with and align its financial regulations to international standards in order to participate in the global economy.

She implored all to be vigilant on issues of money laundering and financing terrorism in order to protect the country from being blacklisted.

For her part, senior assistant accountant general, Mr Samuel Diane said the project was planned to commence in 2017, but was delayed. 

It was completed and opened to the public in 2020.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Merapelo Tshweneyagae applauded the Ministry of Finance for heeding the call of decentralising services to economically challenged areas. 

He said it would save communities money and time. 

Kgosi Tshweneyagae urged the ministry to install technologically advanced systems to avoid service disruptions.

In her closing remarks, Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi North, Ms Talita Monnakgotla also applauded the ministry for delivering on their mission of taking services to the people in remote areas.

She said the facility would give the village a face lift and would help to attract investors.

She, however, decried lack of banking facilities in the constituency and pleaded with the minister to find ways to lure banks for ease of doing business. ends