05 Dec 2022

Government has remained resolute through programmes and projects despite the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges such as low diamond sales.

Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane highlighted this in his response to MPs SONA debates in Parliament Thursday.

He said government prepared well for any eventuality and set structures and key projects as it had a duty to its citizens.

Mr Tsogwane who is also the Leader of the House said despite the daunting challenges President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s address reflected a number of milestones and achievements against all odds.

He said the biggest challenge for government had been economic inequalities and unemployment and noted that government was working round the clock to curb the challenge.

He said the unwarranted COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated poverty and unemployment among others.

He appealed to members of the opposition bench to look at issues of national interest differently and put the political differences aside for the interest of Batswana.

He said the recent announcement of the launch of a satellite which was met with strong opposition from across the aisle was a noble idea that had to be embraced.

He said it was part of government’s digital transformation initiatives as government moved with speed to explore the ICT space.

He said the recent land reforms announcements were positive steps in the right direction which have to be embraced by Batswana.

He said President Masisi encouraged and supported Batswana to be self-sufficient and any programmes that government offered had to be taken up and utilised to improve livelihoods.

Mr Tsogwane said he was delighted by the positive feedback from local farmers and Batswana in general about the President’s bull donation drive.

He urged Batswana to be receptive to the Secure Land Title certificate which he described as a huge milestone in the country’s land sector.

Mr Tsogwane said President Masisi’s external travel was bearing fruits for government and Batswana in general through different potential investors from different fields.

He said government as part of its human development plan was working on investing in research and development which was an expensive undertaking.

He further noted that scientific knowledge and technology were vital for any state that was intending to progress towards a knowledge-based economy and emphasised that investing in scientific knowledge and research would benefit Batswana in skills transfer.

He said some of the achievements government made was zero tolerance for any form of corruption. He said government was also keen on uprooting Gender Based Violence (GBV) and encouraged men to develop a positive mindset towards women.

Turning to Boteti Mr Tsogwane said government was making strides in addressing the challenges in the constituency.

He said the area was nestled between two national parks thus resulting in shortage of land due to the advancing wildlife management area.

He said government would implore the development management concept to develop some roads after several requests had been made.

He said government was also doubling efforts to bring water to the people of Boteti with the floating and awarding of tenders of some mega water projects in the area such as the Mopipi water project.

Mr Tsogwane who is also MP for Boteti West said he was thankful to development partners who had been pivotal in funding some mega projects.

He said Botswana was borrowing prudently and was far from reaching the ceiling thus making government credit worthiness.

Mr Tsogwane applauded youth businesses in his constituency who were taking up government programmes through the assistance of his office.

He said the area was lagging behind in terms of agric production despite good soils and rain.

He urged government to use the revised ISPAAD and assist communities in Boteti.

He also decried the human and wildlife conflict and the growing number of livestock rustling syndicates. BOPA