08 Dec 2022

 Legislators shared divergent views during the ongoing debate of the draft second Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) April 2023 – March 2025 in Parliament, Wednesday.

Gaborone Bonnington North MP Ms Anna Mokgethi said the consultative process that was followed prior to the presentation of the TNDP indicated the consultative nature of the BDP-led government.

Ms Mokgethi who is also Minister of Labour and Home Affairs said the consultative process exhausted all channels of consultation and clearly stated priority areas.

She said concerning her area they have set three priorities namely, stormwater drainage, internal roads and street lighting as part of the demands to be met in the transformation period.

Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang said government had previously established many noble ideas like innovation hub, citizen economic empowerment, education and agric hub among others which did not come to fruition.

He said while NDP 12 has been deferred, the proposed two-year TNDP does not clearly spell out how some of the priorities would be met.

He said the TNDP should give hope of a new economic order away from the challenges that were currently bedevilling a lot of citizens.

Dr Gobotswang said TNDP should be able to create jobs, minimise or close the gap between the rich and poor and offer hope for quality health care.

On export-led growth, Dr Gobotswang said the economy is said to have been on a slight growth but did not meet some challenges it was supposed to address.

With regards to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Dr Gobotswang said it was not easy to attract foreign investors because of corruption and the small market in Botswana. Dr Gobotswang said education and human development must be considered as first priority.

Gaborone South MP Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu said prior to the 2019 elections the BDP had made promises of transformation to Batswana and the results were unfolding.

He said they had established legislative reforms such as the economic inclusion Act among others. He also applauded the establishment of the Ministry of Entrepreneurship which would open market opportunities for Batswana.

He said the TNDP was part of the BDP-led government’s strategic agenda for planning processes. He urged MPs to embrace the ambitious plan which had the potential to grow the economy as proposed and own it for actual economic transformation.

He advised government to consider Gaborone South in infrastructural development projects especially stormwater drainage.

Tati East MP Dr Douglas Letsholathebe urged for implementation of the plan. He urged MPs to follow thoroughly the ideals of the RESET and Reclaim principles.

He said if followed properly the idea was to move Botswana to a high-income status. He said the country had trained personnel all that was required was to implement the plan.

He said research and knowledge-based economy ambitions should be realised and said embracing digitalisation would make things easier and cheaper. ENDs