Masisi wants higher fuel levy
Oarabile Mosikare | Friday March 21, 2014 15:33
Speaking during the debate proposed budget for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Masisi asked Parliament to consider an increase saying the current the fuel levy is a pittance.
Minister Nonofo Molefhi had on Wednesday said his ministry needed P3,828,844,730 for the recurrent and development budgets.
In response yesterday, Masisi expressed his pity for Molefhi as he felt that the amount is inadequate for the next financial year. Currently the fuel levy is P0,05 per liter but while calling for the increase, Masisi did not state at what rate.
Masisi also wants the carbon tax to be introduced in Botswana, arguing that second hand vehicles mostly from Asia commonly called ‘fong kongs’ remit carbon monoxide. Masisi, who is also an MP for Moshupa, an area struggling with illegal sand mining, asked the ministry to consider taxing sand harvesters.
Member of Parliament for Palapye, Moiseraela Goya, was reluctant to support Molefhi’s budget proposal for the financial year 2014/15. Goya said the minister did not tell Parliament why he only used 43% of the 2013/14-development budget.
“Why did you return the money? Is it because you don’t have the capacity?” wondered Goya.
He said instead the unused money would then be remitted to the surplus budget and this does not reflect well. Goya also said other ministers have submitted to the House their achievements and challenges but Molefhi failed to do so. He noted that earlier this year there was shortage of fuel at Central Transport Organisation (CTO) depots and the government departments were forced to refill at private filling stations. “The minister did not tell us what was happening.”
Goya proposed that the ministry reintroduce passenger train and build another railway line to the North West.