26 Feb 2023

Transfer of planning mandate from the Ministry of Finance to the National Planning Commission (NPC) in the Ministry for State President as well as merger of National Strategy Office (NSO), Vision 2036 Coordinating Agency and Government Implementation Coordination Office (GICO) was meant to enhance governance and optimise delivery.

Responding during the Leader of the House’ question time recently, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane explained that the decision to transfer the planning mandate from the finance ministry was necessitated by the need to separate planning functions from the treasury to avoid duplication.

Mr Tsogwane also explained that the transfer was also necessary to address duplication and crumbling functions spread across NSO, Vision 2036 Coordinating Agency and GICO.

“As the oversight institution, the Office of the President, through the NPC will ensure synergies across all institutions in the economy in order to facilitate a comprehensive and well-coordinated plan towards the delivery of the aspirations of Vision 2036,” he said.

Despite its transfer, Mr Tsogwane said the NPC would still work closely with the Ministry of Finance to ensure alignment of identical national priorities.

He, however, said there was no study to establish the efficiency of the transfer, but a number of benchmarking exercises were undertaken in South Africa, Rwanda, Malaysia and Namibia which were experienced in a similar model of planning.

“While lessons were learnt from these countries, the functions and structure of the NPC were largely informed by local situations and needs,” he added.

Again, he said the NPC was expected to rationalise, consolidate and assist in prioritising resource allocation in the best possible way amid limited resources.

“This can only be achieved by constant consultations with all key stakeholders that account for the needs of all economic sectors and the wider population,” he said.

Further, the Vice President explained that national developments were promoted in places where they would deliver best results for as many people as possible, adding that a few developments in certain areas did not mean that the area or people around it were marginalised.

“Since part of our population in remote areas faces service delivery challenges, the Remote Area Development Programme seeks to ensure that distance from the main population centres does not disadvantage or marginalise any Motswana,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane also indicated that there were specific affirmative action programmes that addressed specific needs of such remote area dwellers, such as the Affirmative Action Framework.

He said the NPC would, therefore, ensure proper coordination and delivery of such policies and programmes as well as introduce reforms to promote inclusive development and effective monitoring and evaluation for better accountability and reporting.

Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Taolo Lucas had wanted to know, among others, the rationale for transferring the planning mandate of the Ministry of Finance to the NPC under OP.

Mr Lucas also wanted to know if there was any study on the efficacy of the transfer and if any, what weaknesses it found in the finance ministry and strengths at the OP to support such a transfer, especially that the office was already overwhelmed.

He also enquired on the availability of any oversight mechanisms to guard against party ‘politicisation’ of the NPC mandate. ENDS