25 Nov 2024

Botswana is poised for a transformation into a more mature democracy under the leadership of newly elected President Advocate Duma Boko.

This assertion was made by Tlokweng Member of Parliament, Mr Phenyo Segokgo, during his response to the President’s State-of-the-Nation Address delivered recently..

“We have started to till the land,” Mr Segokgo stated, emphasising that the positive impacts of the new administration would soon become evident.

He urged citizens to brace for a new Botswana characterised by economic opportunities, high-quality education, and improved healthcare.

Mr Segokgo encouraged Batswana to hold the government accountable, emphasising the importance of the first 100 days as a benchmark for progress and implementation.

Despite acknowledging the country’s current financial constraints, Mr Segokgo urged against finger-pointing, advocating instead for solutions that address the issues affecting citizens.

He highlighted the previous administration’s introduction of the Special Economic Zones model, which has been successful in many developed nations, as a potential catalyst for achieving the government’s ambitious goal of creating 100 000 jobs within a year, provided it was properly executed.

Mr Segokgo also called for a reduction in bureaucracy and red tape to attract foreign direct investment.

“We don’t have to focus only on foreign direct investment. Domestic investors also have the potential to grow this economy and create job opportunities.”  he said.

He further suggested streamlining the public service by reducing the number of permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries to create more positions for Batswana. In discussing local development,

Mr Segokgo expressed the need for a border port city in Tlokweng and called for the establishment of a public hospital and senior secondary school to meet the growing needs of the community. He highlighted the necessity of stormwater drainage and sewage systems among other infrastructure improvements.

Addressing the issue of corruption, Mr Segokgo stressed the urgency of closing identified gaps to prevent financial losses to the country.

Similarly, Mogoditshane West legislator Mr Galenawabo Lekau reaffirmed that the election campaign promises were backed by the nation’s per capita capabilities and expressed optimism about the new government’s ability to fix the economy, despite discovering severe misappropriations by its predecessor.

Mr Lekau pointed out that the government was committed to up-skilling artisans by engaging students in public infrastructure projects, which would make them market-ready upon completion.

He noted that his constituency also required internal roads and an upgraded sewage system, as some residents continue to rely on pit latrines.

Further, he urged the full implementation of the Town and Country Planning Act of 2013, explaining that the Mogoditshane Land Board has halted the allocation of plots in open spaces, which has led to dubious land allocations. “We must ensure residential plots are appropriately designated, especially in areas meant for industrial development,” Mr Lekau stated.

With hopes for improvements in the health sector, Lekau suggested that nurses should be allowed to operate private clinics, which he believes would alleviate the burden on the government to employ them instead of allowing for self-employment options.

With its population, Mr Lekau said Mogoditshane should at least be having a primary hospital and also said there was shortage of medicines in the existing health facilities.

He asked the minister of health to among others, address shortage of ambulances and medical doctors in the public health sector. ENDS