Parly approves social safety net funds

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday December 12, 2014 13:52

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had requested the funds to cover the shortfall, which the Botswana Post could not pay out from the last financial year.

 “The committee acceded to the request based on the fact that the beneficiaries should be paid. However, the accounting officer was cautioned to efficiently and effectively manage the service level agreement with the post office in providing the service. In his response the accounting officer informed the committee that at the moment, there is a tender running for service provision,” the finance committee said in its report to Parliament.

The committee members, after satisfying themselves with the request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, recommended an additional P1 million to address the humanitarian situation in the Ebola ravaged West African countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

 The committee however would not accede to the request by Ministry of Education and Skills Development for funds to clear salary arrears observing that all the items listed could have been planned and budgeted for.

“The accounting officer promised that these supplementary estimates are to clear the backlog that emanated from as far as 2010/2011,” the finance committee report said.

The ministry request additional of P536,379,920 to cater for the shortfall in salaries and allowances caused by implementation of levels of operation for teachers, four percent salary adjustment, invigilation and course work as well as appointment of temporary teachers reliving 3,014 teachers on long-term training.

      “Funds are also needed to cater for arrears of expenditure resulting from an increase in number of sponsored students who were not budgeted for, introduction of repeats and reinstatement, progression, adjustment of cut-off points and top achievers sponsorship programme.”