13 Feb 2013

Kanye South MP, Mr Abram Kesupile has commended Minister of Finance and Development Planning for the water planning development and the sewerage systems for Kanye and Molepolole that have been proposed for the next financial year.

Debating the budget in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Kesupile also commended Minister Kenneth Matambo for the major village water supply project to cover the North South Carrier connections to Kanye and Serowe villages.

He said the villages must have the necessary infrastructure to be able to attract developments as well as the business community to the rural areas.

Again, he said such projects would consequently reduce the influx of people from the rural areas into the city.

On the issue of maintenance of schools, roads and government houses, he argued that his constituency should not be forgotten as well as tarred roads for the Kgotla in Letlhakane East.

He added that gravel roads in the villages should also remain part of the priorities of different ministries that are charged with such responsibility.

Also, he agreed with the minister that the emerging economic giants were re-defining the global economic landscape hence Botswana must position herself to benefit from such development.

Thus, he said government must be proactive with respect to reviewing the policies such as those on tourism, finance, trade, immigration and the information and technology.

Kweneng South MP,  Dr John Seakgosing expressed concern that the water shortage situation in his constituency, particularly in Kumakwane, Mmankgodi and Thamaga.

The situation, he said needed to be addressed urgently and called for the provision of a drainage system in the three villages, which he said are rich in groundwater.

He also urged the minister to encourage Ministry of Education and Skills Development to connect electricity in schools in the villages.

MP for Nata/Gweta, Mr Rayner Makosha also supported the budget as proposed by the finance minister.

Mr Makosha also commended the minister for the maintenance of existing government infrastructure.

However, he expressed concern about the current state of schools around the country as well as accommodation for teachers.

Further, he said funds should be availed to aid the Gweta Primary Hospital with regards to the incubators which he said have since been installed but not working.

MP Mmoloki Raletobana of Kweneng South East decried lack of developments in his constituency, particularly shortage of electricity and water.

He argued that insufficient power was a national crisis that needed urgent attention.

Also, he said government must strive to address the issue of unemployment particularly among the youth hence the need to have resources availed specifically for such.

MP for Francistown East, Mr Phandu Skelemani said there was need to prioritise in allocating funds for development projects.

Mr Skelemani argued that Ngamiland and Kgalagadi areas need utmost attention, particularly in infrastructure.

He said government must spend more on infrastructure so that people in such areas can also feel that they are connected.

Mr Skelemani said it was important to consider prioritisation in planning the next development plan and MPs should be able to explain to their constituents why some developments had been done in other places and not in their constituencies.

On a different issue, Mr Skelemani told Parliament that challenges bedevilling the ministry of education and skills development did not lie with its Minister but were vast and broad.

Thus, he urged parents as well as the political leadership to also play a role in addressing the challenges. ENDS