22 Feb 2023

The North West District Council chairperson says establishment of the National Planning Commission (NPC) is a welcome development.

Speaking during a meeting organised by the commission recently, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho said the commission had a direct bearing on people’s lives as it called for all to support the prosperity for all vision.

The commission, he said, promoted inclusion and participatory development, adding that they would provide leadership in national development coordination and implementation as well as national planning.

Mr Ntsogotlho also said the commission had done a lot since its establishment, citing the assessment of capital, human and material resources.

He added that the commission had also come up with policies to ensure resources were used in a balanced manner. 

Mr Ntsogotlho also said political leaders advocated for developments and that it was difficult to change existing plans. 

He expressed hope that through the commission, it would be easier to incorporate projects.

“It is a welcome move. They will benefit the country in the long run as it will ensure the flow of developments,” he said The commissioner general, Mr Christopher Molomo had earlier explained that they role was to encourage all to play a role in order to achieve the objectives of Vision 2036.

He said it was their aim to see Batswana playing a role in the development of the country and contributing to the growth of the economy. 

He said they were tasked with the responsibility to draft the country’s national development plans and to coordinate planning and implementation.

He noted that they were led by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane as the board chairperson, saying  they had combined the functions of the former national strategy office, 

Vision 2036 coordinating agency, the government’s implementation coordination office and the planning functions from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

Mr Molomo also said they were not only tasked with planning, but with monitoring other ministries’ plans to ensure they were well executed. 

One of the commission’s responsibilities, he said, was to visit regions and check on projects implementation to ensure they were completed on time and within budget.

On other issues, Mr Molomo said it was advisable for district leaders to synchronise their development plans with national plans.

He said they would bring efficiency and effectiveness in the coordination of planning and monitoring as well as the evaluation of national strategies, policies and projects by ensuring cohesion in data management through applied research and development. 

He also said the commission would optimise the use of financial, human and technological resources. 

Mr Molomo said Batswana should understand their role in the attainment of Vision 2036 goals and that they would embark on public campaigns to preach on the importance of the vision as well as to appreciate challenges mitigating against achieving the vision. ENDS