08 Dec 2013

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has promised public officers in the Tutume Sub-District that government will make an effort to improve their general conditions of service.

Addressing the officers on Thursday, December 5, at Marapong Brigade, President Khama said the reason for having such meetings was to try to understand the conditions they work under and see where they could be assisted efficiently.

He said the Remote Area Service Allowance would be reviewed every year and government had improved the conditions of standard of living of the recipients because they have realised that they stay longer time without their life being changed.

President Khama noted that the government increased the kilometre allowance millage by 30 per cent on gravel road, which was 2.85 per kilometre and was increased to 3.75 per kilometre, and on tarred roads, it was 1.75 per kilometre and increased to 2.30 per kilometre looking at the inflation over the years.

He said most of the ministries complained about shortage of transport and said this year some of the vehicles were purchased even though the budget was tight, adding that they would buy more vehicles in the next financial year.

Most of the ministries that presented before the President shared the sentiments on shortage of transport and lack of housing and office accommodation. Responding to the issue of shortage of accommodation, President Khama said they have introduced a new scheme to allow the public officers to secure government guaranteed loans and construct houses as well as offices.

The district senior assistant council secretary, Mr Lawrence Madzinyane, said salaries for public officers has not been increased for a long time and requested the A scales to be scrapped off because it is too low to sustain anyone. Responding to this, President Khama said public officers’ salaries were increased by three per cent in 2011, even last year it was also increased by three per cent, adding that A scales have recession allowance and if added together they make up 20 per cent.

He said it is a fact that recession covers the whole world and not only Botswana, adding that they even went to the World Bank and African Development Bank (ADB) to borrow money. President Khama said some of the projects such as power and water were important because if they stop them, there will be no developments.He said other conditions of service will be fully finalised on December 30 by Cabinet and urged public officers to stand up and work for their country.

“Le seka la re madi ke petrol ke tla a bereka fela ke sena go tshela,” He said to a bout of laughter. The director of the Directorate of Public Service Management, Mr Carter Morupisi, warned the officers against being involved in partisan politics. Public officers are only allowed to vote during general elections, he said. ENDS