18 Feb 2025

The 2025/26 national budget proposal presented last week by the Vice President also Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe offers the country a road map toward a solid economy, Boteti West Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Sam Digwa has said.

He said the budget would have the effect of stabilising the country in difficult financial times and over time grow the economic base.

Nonetheless, he called on government to pay particular attention to some aspects of the economy.

He said the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture required greater investment as most of the rural population relied heavily on availability of land because funds and food generated from farming as well as cattle and small stock rearing needed land.

Mr Digwa called on government to offer input support even to farmers who had utilised traditional seed broadcasting planting methods.

He complained of the veterinary cordon fence between Ngamiland and Boteti which had been destroyed by animals and pleaded with government to resolve the situation to avoid the spread of animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth.

He, however, lamented the challenge of cattle rustling which he said could dissuade the youth from investing in animal production and asked for a criminal justice system to address the crime.

Mr Digwa also said a storm water drainage master plan was necessary for Boteti as many villages were affected by poor drainage infrastructure.

Speaking on the same day, Gabane/Mmankgodi MP, Mr Kagiso Mmusi commended government for including implementation of the proposed Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mankgodi junction road dualling project in the budget, as well as the construction of the Tloaneng-Mmamkgodi road.

He said he was grateful that Mogoditshane-Thamaga sub-District had been upgraded to a full council, and urged government to provide funding to the newly established councils.

Mr Mmusi said Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) had been responsible in government over the years and had not been corrupt as alleged by political opponents.

He said some of the senior government officials including permanent secretaries that worked with BDP cabinet were still in government and would attest that former ministers were not involved in procurement.

Mr Mmusi said while in government, the BDP invested public funds in development projects to the benefit of the nation as a whole. ENDS