UDC rails against privatisation
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday May 13, 2014 11:26
Speaking at a political rally on Sunday in the mining town, the UDC and Botswana National Front spokesperson says privatisation is not a solution to the country’s economic problems, but is meant to serve the interests of a few citizens. He noted that government embarked on privatisation with a view to make profits but negligence on the part of those in authority has resulted in mass retrechments.
He decried that billions of pula have been pumped in the yet to function Morupule B power plant.
“The situation calls for serious action,” he added. Mohwasa also blamed the economic situation of Selebi-Phikwe on the voters, saying they are paying the price for voting wrong in the last elections. Among the many ills against the town is that it was promised a college of Applied Arts and Technology and the plot and funds from the Re-Employment Account are available but nothing has materialised up to now. He said the only problem is that government has failed to train lecturers.
“We are still to reap the benefits of the REA funds and the problem is the way you vote. You are enslaving yourselves hence you need to introspect,” he added.
He expressed concern over what he termed “inhabitable conditions at BCL employees’ hostels”, saying they do not correspond to the fact that the mine has about P6 billion reserves with 94 percent share by government.
Mohwasa said government as the major shareholder has the right to issue a directive to the BCL board of directors to improve the living conditions of the mine employees. The guest, UDC candidate for Gabane-Mankgosi, General Pius Mokgware reminded the Selebi-Phikwe residents that they have a constitutional right to vote for their representatives in Parliament and council and said that right comes once in five years.
“If you make a mistake you are bound to suffer for the next five years. You are where you are because of the mistakes you committed five years ago,” he said.
General Mokgware endorsed UDC as the ideal party.
He said his party wants to see a community that can economically sustain itself.
“I am talking about those who can compete for opportunities with people from the international community and serve as role models to the world, not people waiting for blankets handouts,” said Mokgware.
He said the UDC manifesto that will be out very soon, would address the education system, economy, and integration of underprivileged Batswana, happy family structures and a clean government.
Mokgware said they are convinced that funds are available to improve the country’s education system and said the money so far wasted by the Ministry of Education was enough to phase out pit latrines in primary schools and improve the conditions of service for teachers.
He added that they want equitable distribution of the economy and to oblige foreign companies setting up here to pay a 10 percent share to benefit Batswana.
“Trade unions will be united and speak with one voice and every civil servants will be insured. Compensations that officers are given are very low, we need insurance.
“We will also change our police and issue them with proper training and equipment.
We cannot afford to have police officers boarding public transport with the accused or offenders,” he said. He said Botswana Defence Force (BDF) officers have been working under unsociable working conditions without overtime and are still owed housing allowances from 1992 despite a directive that was issued then.
“We demand that they be paid their dues,” he thundered.