Decentralisation strategy to transform public sector
Mompati Tlhankane | Tuesday March 14, 2023 06:00
Delivering his Committee of Supply Speech in Parliament recently, he said the strategy aims to improve capacity and coordination amongst stakeholders at different levels of government to enhance performance, efficiency, equity and sustainability of public spending.
“It is in line with the spirit and intent of the Draft Decentralisation Policy and Strategy that I decided to upgrade all 22 Sub-Districts in Botswana to fully fledged District Councils,” he said. “This is the Government of Botswana’s commitment to the decentralisation process and its intention to bring services closer to the people.
The strategy intends to gradually and stepwise transform the present Local Government system into a citizen-centred local governance system that is responsive, responsible, and accountable.” Autlwetse emphasised that Botswana’s Vision 2036 envisages that decentralisation through devolution will play an important role in public sector reforms in the coming years. He added that decentralisation has the potential to contribute substantially to the transformation of the public sector in Botswana. “If implemented appropriately, through the creation of responsive, responsible, and accountable Local Governments, it will enhance the performance of Local Governments, improve the quality of service delivery, stimulate inclusive growth, enhance interaction between the state and its citizens and ultimately deepen democracy in Botswana,” he further said. Autlwetse said the implementation of the initiative to upgrade all 22 Sub-Districts in Botswana to fully-fledged District Councils is being done in two phases.
He said Phase 1 has been done and it involved upgrading of Goodhope, Molepolole, Mogoditshane-Thamaga, Letlhakeng, Mahalapye, Tutume, Boteti, Maun, Okavango, Tsabong and Hukuntsi Sub-District Councils to fully fledged councils.
He disclosed that the councils are now in operation. “Phase 2 will cover Tonota, Palapye, Serowe, Bobirwa, Tlokweng, Gantsi, Charles Hill, Kanye, Mabutsane, Moshupa, and South East South Sub-District Councils and will be implemented in the 2023-2024 financial year. Key to this decision is government’s desire and effort to bring services closer to the people, enhance local response to challenges, promote citizen participation and accountability, and improve coordination of government initiatives at the district level.
Going forward, the existing service centre operations will be enhanced,” he said.
The minister added to address fiscal decentralisation issues of ineffective local planning frameworks and ineffective and inefficient fiscal and public financial management regimes, his ministry has further completed the development of a Fiscal Decentralisation Strategy and Roadmap with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme.
“The overarching objective of the Fiscal Decentralisation Strategy is to support a citizen-centred local governance system that is inclusive, responsive, efficient, and accountable, based on the efficient mobilisation of revenues at all levels; the predictable flow of funds between levels; and the efficient and cost-effective use of resources by institutions at national and local levels,” Autlwetse said.