18 Dec 2023

 An additional P20 million has been requested under the supplementary estimates, partly for the construction of 20 silos at Pandamatenga farms.

Presenting the supplementary estimates in Parliament on December 14, Minister of Finance, Ms Peggy Serame said the silos were being constructed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry under the Special Economic Zone.

“The remaining budget allocation is not sufficient to cover the remaining works and to complete the project, which is government’s obligation,” she said.

Ms Serame also mentioned other notable supplementary development budget requests as that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at P150 million, which is needed to finance the acquisition of a chancellery building in Tokyo, Japan.

She explained that the current allocation of P195.6 million was not enough to cater for the envisaged project.

She said an assessment of available properties was done and that a suitable property was identified valued at P269 million.

She said other works that needed substantial supplementary budgets were under the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs, which included land servicing in Gaborone and Ghanzi and the special economic zone at a cost of P2.1 billion.

She said there was an underestimation for the projects during the budget estimates for this financial year.

She also indicated that the water supply projects under the North-South water carrier needed an additional P1.36 billion to complete.

Ms Serame said other projects under the ministry, such as the Moshupa and Maun water and sanitation projects underwent cost variations due to various reasons.

“The Moshupa project experienced cost variations due to lack of proper planning in the old demarcated plots, which resulted in changes in the length of pipes required as well as change of routes due to pending issues with plot owners,” she said.

She said the Maun water and sanitation project also experienced cost variations due to a change in water quality, which necessitated a change in the treatment plant and treatment process.

Additionally, she said some supplements were due to revisions of the project under the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP).

She, however, said the TNDP had not been revised and that additional funds towards its realisation would be sourced through reallocation from different organisations. ENDS