10 Mar 2014

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi says he is aware that implementation of Poverty Eradication Programme is slow in some constituencies while others are doing well using the same structures.

He cited Ngwaketse West as an example, where 370 projects had been rolled out. Mr Masisi said existing local government structures were expected to support implementation of the Poverty Eradication Programme across the country.

The ministry, however, upgraded support to all implementing sectors in terms of human resources and transport, he said.

Concerning human resource, Minister Masisi said a budget had been provided for implementing sectors to engage more than 100 temporary project positions to fast track the roll out of packages and to monitor projects. He stated that districts had also been instructed to re-engineer their procurement processes to reduce the turnaround time.

Mr Masisi said with regard to transport, 10 trucks had been procured to assist with onsite delivery of material/equipment for the projects, and in addition procurement was ongoing for ten small vehicles for programme monitoring.

He noted that frontline implementing officers were continually work-shopped on problem solving techniques to enhance their project management skills.

The Member of Parliament for Gaborone West South, Mr Botsalo Ntuane had asked the minister if he was aware that the rollout of Poverty Eradication Programme was slow because people tasked with its implementation were either under staffed or multi-tasked.

MP Ntuane also asked the minister if he would consider appointing staff specifically for poverty eradication programme to speed up its rollout if it was the case. ENDS