18 Dec 2022

Member of Parliament for Ramotswa Mr Lefoko Moagi said there is need to upgrade the internet service in a bid to realise the ideals of the country’s digital transformation strategy.

He highlighted that investing in ICT had the potential to spur economic growth as countries that had digitally transformed had been able to achieve strong economic growth.

Mr Moagi was contributing to debates following presentations on the Public Investment Programme (PIP) from different ministries with focus on budget estimates and projects that make the draft second Transitional National Development Plan which spans April 2023 to March 2025.

Mr Moagi said the use of ICT was important and urged the speedy internet connections which should reach out to every Motswana.

He said the concept of system down must be a thing of the past and close inspection on those who were misusing the ‘system down’ excuse.

He thanked the SmartBotswana initiative and called for more wireless connections to avoid crowding in the same places by communities.

Botswana approved the digitalisation strategy also known as SmartBots which is expected to result in improved quality of life, create business opportunities for the private sector and a governance model that uses technology.

Mr Moagi noted that the network coverage was a bit slow and said areas such as Magope Disana should enjoy coverage.

He said in border villages such as Ramotswa foreign networks were overpowering local network which called for the extension of the network map.

He thanked the minister for the Lobatse water master plan and said it covered certain areas in his area while some areas were still lagging behind.

Mr Moagi said the border fence must be maintained to curb cross-border theft.

He said the biggest challenge in the education sector was maintenance and urged those charged with the mandate to provide a conducive learning and teaching environment.

He said special education centres such as Thuto Boswa in Ramotswa and Camphill in Otse had to be provided with a special curriculum for their learning process to be in sync with current education trends.

He asked for the boom crossing at the rail-line crossing to curb rail fatalities.

Mr Moagi said despite hosting a state-of-the-art Police College in Otse there was a serious shortage of police office space in the Ramotswa cluster. ENDS