Khama should attend Parliament
Mmegi Editor | Friday December 18, 2015 14:39
The year also marks a milestone in the achievements of this nation as it ushers in 2016, the year which we set ourselves goals through Vision 2016.
The year 2016 also marks 50 years of Botswana’s independence and peaceful transition of power from one leader to the other. Some may think this achievement means nothing, but of course, for others, it means a lot and should not be taken for granted. Year 2015, as did other years since 2008, came and went with at least three parliament meetings in a year. Throughout all these years, President Khama has not found time to attend a parliament sitting and has preferred to run the country his way, with his preferred men, most of them unelected individuals. His judgements and policies have cost us dearly. One example is the shortage of water in the country.
We cannot fault anyone who blames shortage of water on the President for the reason that he has never sat down and debated the water supply and distribution policy that resulted in centralisation of water issues on Water Utilities Corporation (WUC). The President sanctioned the transfer of responsibility for water provision from Water Affairs Department to WUC and here we are – our taps are dry, WUC, upon its arrival did the unrhinkable. They shut down hundreds of boreholes across the country.
It is obvious that this WUC move has created more problems than bringing good things. Had the President had time to listen to some of the arguments in Parliament about the WUC issue, he would have reviewed, suspended the roll out programme, or allowed the Department of Water Affairs to continue operating until such time when he would have satisfied himself that WUC was ready for the challenge.
The advent of WUC has caused enough damage to this country’s economy than anticipated, because the company is more into cost-saving, and making profit.
The President should also find time to listen to Parliamentarians alternative views on the causes of poverty, unemployment, youth delinquency, and other social ills to inform himself before making decisions.
This will give him the opportunity to interrogate the views of fellow countrymen in the House, as well as sharing and explaining his. This arrangement is everywhere in the world, in countries that are regarded as democracies. In South Africa for instance, the president accounts to his nation by fielding questions from parliamentarians. The same happens in Namibia.
It is against this background that we find disappointing the Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Kokorwe’s stance that there is nothing wrong in President Khama not attending Parliament meetings.
There are many good ideas the President can learn from colleagues in Parliament that can benefit the nation. The founders of this country envisioned a more accountable leadership that is also brave enough to defend its decisions before opponents.
Today’s thought
The best weapon of a dictatorship is secrecy, but the best weapon of a democracy should be the weapon of openness.
– Niels Bohr