BCL closure was the right call � Masisi
Innocent Selatlhwa | Thursday October 27, 2016 16:10
Addressing the media yesterday, Masisi, who is also the country’s Vice President, took aim at opposition parties who have been arguing that there were many other alternatives to BCL Ltd’s troubles, other than shutting it down.
Masisi said such utterances were “irresponsible and reckless”.
“I would like to reassure and reaffirm to you that the decision to liquidate BCL was a wise decision taken using competent information. There was no intent of malice, but the intention was to do good for the country.
“If people go by the irresponsible and reckless utterances by the opposition, the country will be in trouble,” he said.
The Moshupa-Manyana legislator said the party appreciates and accepts that the process will be painful, but it had to be done and was not meant to forsake anyone.
He said government has very significant mitigation measures in place as part of NDP 11 whose draft was tabled before Parliament yesterday afternoon.
“We respect the law fully and we will be fair to those who have been employed by BCL. The BDP government is fully in charge and people will appreciate what will come out,” he said.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) over the weekend held demonstrations in Selebi-Phikwe alleging that there had been a lack of consultation by government on the BCL liquidation.
The parties said government had ignored expert advice that BCL Mine could go on until 2036 and simply needed refinancing or restructuring.
Still at the press conference, the BDP welcomed former BCP)and Botswana Movement for Democracy members who were former council candidates and campaign managers. One of them is renowned gender activist, Keabonye Ntsabane who said her joining the BDP was her freedom of association.