27 Feb 2014

Parliament has approved the 2014/15 budget for Ministry of Finance and Development Planning amounting to P862 million (P861 817 087) of which 758 million (P758 240 720) is for recurrent and P104 million (P103 576 367)  for development budget.

Debating the budget, MP for Bobirwa, Mr Shaw Kgathi called upon the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to monitor development projects to ensure that funds were utilised accordingly.

Supporting the ministry’s budget, MP Kgathi said the amount earmarked for maintenance of government buildings in the next financial year was huge and therefore called for proper monitoring. He further said Batswana companies should benefit but said they should refrain from fronting.

The Bobirwa legislator welcomed the decision taken by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) to reserve 20 per cent of tenders at micro-procurement level to empower the youth, people with disabilities and women. 

MP Kgathi further complained about the constant unavailability of the Government Accounting and Budgeting System (GABS) saying companies which do business companies are not paid on time.

He called for improvements at four border posts in his constituency saying they were not accessible during the rainy season and this negatively affects tourism facilities in Thuli and Mashatu.

At Point Drift a cable car was used to ferry passengers and MP Kgathi said it was dangerous and some passengers are afraid of heights.  MP for Tati West, Mr Charles Tibone also called upon the ministry to coordinate activities of line ministries to ensure effective monitoring of allocated funds.

He said the Non-Banking Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) should be given more resources as they have assets amounting to billions of Pula under their management.

MP Tibone said he was concerned that some of these assets might be under the control of foreign companies as some have established what he called Trojan Horses in the local economy.

Talking about the financial sector, he said the role of locals should be promoted adding one bank removed five Batswana from the top posts under cloudy conditions although they were capable of holding the position.

He further said the close to P1 billion consultancy fees budget should benefit Batswana.

MP for Ngami, Mr Taolo Habano said GABS system in his constituency was not working due to constant power outages and said the Revenue Offices should have back-up generators.

He further said Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) should address kgotla meetings as a number of people especially in the rural areas were not aware of the assistance they are to receive in case they are involved in accidents.

MP Habano said Statistics Botswana is only available in Gaborone and its information is outdated.

He further said Dobe border gate does not have Customs personnel resulting with loss of revenue adding that even the road linking Botswana and Namibia was in a poor state.

For his part, MP for Kgatleng East, Mr Isaac Mabiletsa said Tlokweng border gate should operate 24 hours to deal with long lines. Responding to comments, Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning Mr Vincent Seretse said employees should revert to manual transactions. ENDS