Batswana are jealous - Tibone

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Wednesday December 2, 2009 00:00

 

Commenting on the State of the Nation Address, he said those vested with powers to control government tenders and other economic structures have made it their mission not to award contracts to citizens because of jealousy.

He said that there is urgent need for legislation on citizen economic empowerment to compel government officials and parastatals to award tenders to local companies. On the hot issue of constitutional reforms, Tibone said there is no need to do a comprehensive review. He suggested that the review should only focus on problematic sections. He said calls for a comprehensive review are coming from angry people hence it is likely to bring results that will divide the nation. He said that constitutional reviews never satisfy everybody. He stated he is not satisfied with the manner in which recommendations of the Commission on Section 77, 78 and 79 was implemented.

Contrary to what some international organisations have said about doing business in Botswana, Tibone said: 'We are probably one of the worst countries in the world when it comes to promoting business'. He said that it takes 78 days to establish a company in Botswana while in other Sub-Saharan countries, it takes between 48 hours and 13 days.

Meanwhile, MP for Ngwaketse West, Mephato Reatile said he has no problem with constitutional review. He said the exercise should take place after all political parties have reviewed their own constitutions. He argued that it would be useless to review the national constitution while major political parties still give all powers to their presidents.

Reatile called on government to utilise recycled water for irrigation, fish-farming and drinking. At this juncture the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Ponatshego Kedikilwe interjected and said the ministry is heading in the direction suggested by the MP.

Reatile accused government officials of defying President Ian Khama's calls to allow unemployed people to do small business with government through sale of food and other things in government offices. He said that council officials always harass informal sector traders saying they want a written instruction from the President. This, he said, has led to confusion over who between the President and council officials is in charge of the affairs of the country.