Gov�t does not create jobs � Matambo
Oarabile Mosikare | Tuesday February 7, 2017 18:00
Delivering his budget speech yesterday Matambo said: “With regard to employment creation, it is important to clarify that the principal role of the Government is not to create jobs directly, but to provide a conducive macroeconomic environment to facilitate the development of the private sector. The private sector, in turn, is expected to take advantage of such an environment to undertake investments, which would contribute to the growth of the economy and creation of sustainable employment opportunities”.
He also said between financial years 1988/1989 and 2014/2015, there has been a notable change in the composition of Botswana’s Gross Domestic Product. This period was characterised by growth in various non-mining sectors: finance, business and services; trade, hotels and restaurants; and transport and communications. These sectors are currently contributing significantly to value addition, while the contribution by the mining sector has declined from over 50% in 1988/1989 to around 20% in 2014/2015.
He continued: “Among the strategies to be pursued during the 2017/2018 financial year to promote diversified and export led growth, should include the provision of basic infrastructure such as ICT, electricity, and water supply, which are critical enablers for setting up a business.
Other critical inputs such as land servicing as well as residence and work permits have of late received attention as basic requirements for business operation”.
“In order to deliver on the priority of developing diversified sources of growth, an efficient Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure is needed as a pre-requisite for research and business mainstreaming within and outside Botswana. To this end, progress has been made in enhancing the national broadband connectivity through installation of major fibre backbone network around the country. The Ministry of Transport and Communications will also subsidise telecommunication operators to connect primary schools with Broadband Internet at rural and underserviced areas, as a way of enhancing universal access to ICT.”
About electricity supply the minister said besides extending Morupule B with units 5 and 6 and refurbishment of Morupule A power plant, as additional power sources, the use of solar energy has been identified as a potential alternative source of electricity supply in the country.
“It is against this background that a comprehensive renewable energy strategy which is aimed at attracting domestic and foreign investments is being developed, and will be completed by February, 2017. Further, government, in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation is undertaking a Green Energy Feasibility Study aimed at providing alternative sources of electricity,” he said.
On water supply Matambo asserted that following the construction of a parallel pipeline to the existing line under the North-South Water Carrier Scheme, government will fund the construction of various pipelines.
These include the ones connecting Thune Dam to Mathathane, Tsetsebye and Moletemane, which is expected to be completed in 2018, and the other connecting Kanye and Molepolole to the North South Carrier. Besides the implementation of emergency water projects throughout the country, other major water projects planned for 2017/2018 financial year include the rehabilitation of Shakawe Water Treatment Plant and its connection to Seronga, Gunotsoga, Beetsha and Gudigwa villages. All these projects are expected to provide adequate water supply to these villages.