President to sign 109 bills into laws
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday August 16, 2019 15:20
Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Kagiso Molatlhegi told members of the media Wednesday that although the House had challenges in conducting its business, the session was very productive. “Even though our Parliament had challenges because majority of MPs were new while other were youth, the House carried out its business in a productive manner. Some of the bills that had been passed are going to change the lives of our people. I do not have the number of bills that have been signed into laws by the President,” he said.
Molatlhegi said a total of 312 questions were answered and over 100 questions were responded to because of time constraints. Over 23 motions were debated.
Amongst the bills the House passed were: the National Assembly Salaries and Allowances Amendment Bill, Transfer Duty Amendment Bill, Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Bill, Capital Transfer Tax Amendment Bill, Income Tax Amendment Bill, Botswana Teaching Professionals Bill, Botswana Examination Council Amendment Bill, Trade Disputes Amendment Bill, Trade Bill, Financial Intelligence Bill, Trust Property Control Bill, Industrial Development Bill, Companies Re-registration Amendment Bill, registration of Business Names Amendment Bill, Registration of Business Names Re-registration Amendment and Botswana Meat Commission Transition Bill.
“If a bill was not signed before dissolution of Parliament then the next President will not sign it to become a law. That means it will never be relevant,” he said.
On another issue regarding live broadcasting of Parliament proceedings, Molatlhegi said the process is ongoing but lack of funds remain a challenge to complete the project. “ Parliament had managed to secure funds to start live broadcast, unfortunately the money was not enough. I hope the 12th Parliament will be able to find money to finish the progress of live broadcasting.
Molatlhegi said Parliament needs enough budget to be able to train new MPs on how the House works.