BDP promises manna to electorates
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday April 9, 2014 14:16
The party launched the October general elections manifesto over the weekend.
Despite the country having undergone power and water crisis in the recent past, the BDP states that the country is endowed with natural energy resources of coal, solar energy, methane gas and biogas.
The party claims that access to grid power is currently at 67 percent and project to reach 80 percent by 2016.
The BDP also promises to increase agricultural production through improved Intergrated Support Program for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) and improve national food security by recognising subsistence farmers, emerging and commercial farmers as the key drivers. It promises to provide farmers with seeds, fertilisers, herbicides, implements and potable water and fencing to areas of high production.
The manifesto states that the number of beneficiaries under ISPAAD has increased from 31,000 in 2007/2010 and declined to 11,800 in 2010/2011.
The output under ISPAAD has increased from 55,000 metric tons in 2007/2008 to 118,000 metric tons in 2010/2011.
The BDP also promises to put more funding into education and drive education reform at all levels.
As part of picking the failing standards, the BDP says it will intensify in-service training for teachers and nurture unique talents of every child through schools of excellence and others strategies.
It also assures to continue in its quest to preserve government assets through planned maintenance and refurbishment of roads, buildings and equipment.
The manifesto also talks about curbing corruption, as people will be served efficiently through the government portal.
It will also continue to increase access to decent housing for all Batswana and accelerate delivery of housing by the public and private sectors. On the equality card, the BDP says it will advocate for and support the strengthening of national capacity for gender mainstreaming in sector policies and programmes and eliminate all forms of discrimination and gender-based violence.
The BDP promises youth to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to tackle unemployment. It says youth unemployment is one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing government.
On the diplomatic front, the BDP says they will continue to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.