18 Dec 2022

MPs have shared views on the Public Investment Programme (PIP) which forms the basis of the financial plan for implementation of the Transitional National Development Plan for the next two financial years.

The presentations were led by the Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng who gave an overview of the PIP followed by various ministries tabling budgets estimates and projects from their portfolios.

In his debate, Jwaneng Mabutsane MP Mr Mephato Reatile requested government to ensure minimal land servicing which would bring hope to those awaiting land allocations. He said the ministry of lands was on the right path with land allocations as indicated by the recent allocations.

Mr Reatile pleaded with the minister of defence to equip his constituency with law enforcement personnel as crime was soaring in areas such as Mahotshwane.

He asked the minister to set up a satellite police station in Sese to service the area and its peripheries.

He decried poor accommodation for police officers in Jwaneng despite the fact that they had a task to protect the diamond industry in the mining town.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Talitha Monnakgotla said Kgalagadi North had been hard hit by water shortages but was impressed by the announcement of the Ncojane water project.

She applauded the minister of lands for the speedy allocations which she said grew from 8 000 to 36 000.

Ms Monnakgotla however decried the poor state of police stations in Kang and Tshane which were in a bad state because of dilapidated infrastructure.

She said because of poor security due to lack of police visibility a lot of commercial institutions were not able to set up branches in her constituency and the communities were serviced as far as Jwaneng.

Letlhakeng –Lephephe MP Mr Liakat Kablay said he was impressed with the overall presentation of the programme but pleaded for speedy service delivery especially water in settlements such as Mmaothate.

He applauded the service rendered by the police and urged government to support their efforts to maintain peace and order, especially during the festive period. He said proper accommodation, as well as safe and conducive workplace had to be ensured for law enforcement officers to work efficiently.

He asked for a satellite police station in Ngware to curb livestock theft in neighbouring settlements such as Diphuduhudu and Loologane.
Selebi Phikwe West MP Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse was concerned that even the auditor general had indicated that there was no capacity for implementation and sub-standard work for mega projects.

He said at the centre of all these was corruption and economic crime. He cited the Boatle dual carriage which had a change of work and scope that resulted in cost overruns.

Mr Keorapetse said the Botswana Police wanted to expand the safer city project and invited nine companies and out of those five had no grade E but were still invited to tender which raised eyebrows. MP for Gaborone North Mr Mpho Balopi thanked the civil service for unwavering service and support to all plans and developments.

He said the mega water projects were a pleasing development and had to cover all the corners of the country. He appealed for reforms in freehold land where Batswana were making efforts to assist government in offering land to citizens.

Mr Balopi said the recent spate of criminal activities was worrisome, especially in Gaborone North where there was a serious shortage of manpower and infrastructure.

He urged government to pull up the sleeves and deter crime which had the potential to scare potential investors.

MP for Moshupa-Manyana Mr Karabo Gare said despite lack of resources and some other pressing challenges some parts of his constituency were connected to the water pipeline.

On defence and security issues, Mr Gare said the Moshupa cluster had over 58 000 people while the police station was below the required standards in personnel and infrastructure.

He said the ministry of defence must have a specific intervention for livestock theft cases as farmers were losing their cattle.

Mr Gare said the education sector was bedevilled by lack of resources which impacted the teaching and learning process.

He said the ICT sector was vital in the ease of doing business dream. He said there was a need to support and equip the sector including upgrading communications networks in areas such as Ralekgetho.  ENDS