09 Feb 2014

Government took a decision to continue with the implementation of projects already contained in the National Development Plan (NDP) 10, due to financial constraints.

Responding to a parliamentary question on February 5, Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Vincent Seretse said there was no list of deferred or “self-liquidating” projects which emanated from the mid-term review of NDP 10.

He said tender notices were issued by the respective sectoral ministries on the basis of the annual budget that was approved by the house and therefore he could not issue such tender notices.

“Even “self – liquidating” projects, which are implemented through Public Private Partnership cannot be tendered for without prior approval by Parliament for inclusion in NDP 10,” he said.

He defined a “self – liquidating” project as one which generated sufficient revenue to cover its cost over its life span, adding that the revenue is recouped to cover capital investment and such capital outlay is either directly borne by government or underwritten if the sponsor is the private sector.

Mr Seretse was responding to a question from Member of Parliament for Shoshong, Mr Phillip Makgalemele who had asked the minister to state the ministry’s definition of “self – liquidating projects” and the total number of projects.

He also asked the minister to state the associated values that are classified as self – liquidating but excluded from the National Development Plan during the mid-term review.

Mr Makgalemele asked the minister if he would not immediately issue a tender on all self – liquidating projects aimed at getting private sector involvement, given the presented definition. ENDS