Mokaila confident of airspace liberalization
Correspondent | Friday March 24, 2017 16:00
These, though they might seem as minor issues and harmless somehow had a huge impact on the staff morale and productivity and negatively impacted on the ministry’s performance in general. However, as we are we have not lost hope we have faith and trust that things will stabilize and be well again for our Ministry.
Furthermore, my Ministry has been battling with trying to do more with less when it comes to project implementation. It is an open secret that our road network is not up to standard, there is more that as a Ministry need to do on our roads country wide. We have to expand the road network to cover the remaining part of the country as well as to maintain those already existing within the already inadequate budget we are allocated. As if that is not enough, we also have to bring our ICT facilities up to speed as the nation expects.
We are all witnesses to the dysfunctionality of our systems as a result of poor Government Data Network (GDN). We find ourselves in a very difficult position as a ministry every year in which the budget allocation dictates that we prioritize between ICT and Transport sector, and trust me it is not a difficult but impossible exercise. We do not even know where how to start given the demands and needs within the two sectors. It is therefore our hope that in future all the aforementioned sentiments and many others that I haven’t mentioned in the interest of time, are taken into consideration when deciding the Ministerial budget allocations by the relevant authorities.
ICT Sector
There is no doubt, the world has witnessed and still witnessing a revolution in information and communications technology (ICT) the scope of which stretches far beyond the realm of the sector itself. No country seeking real, sustainable development and progress can hope to achieve these aims without a strong ICT sector in place to drive the necessary change.
I am glad to report that as a country, we have made significant strides in harnessing the power of the digital technology but we need to up our game to remain relevant and competitive. My Ministry is working on an ICT Roadmap which is intended to refocus our adoption and adaptation for the use of ICT in Botswana, both for the public and private sector. The Roadmap lays out the plans with clarity and clearly defines how the government, its stakeholders will attain the set economic targets. The Goal of this Roadmap is to fast track our route to the knowledge society. The actions, roles and commitments are clear and explicit. Madam Chairperson, in order for us to realise this dream we need cooperation and support from this Honourable House.
Review of the Communications Licensing Framework
My Ministry through Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) has developed a licensing framework for the postal sector in the country, and it is now being implemented. Nineteen commercial Postal Operators (Courier companies) and one Public Postal Operators (BotswanaPost) have been licensed under this new framework. Further to, Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority finalised the Market Study for the Postal Sector and is being evaluated for implementation.
BotswanaPost continues to deliver Universal Postal Service to all resident of this country, in accordance with the Communications Regulatory Authority Act. In a bid to ensure that these services are appropriately priced BOCRA has engaged the BotswanaPost in an exercise to separate its universal Service accounts from its commercial business. This exercise is ongoing and it is expected to be completed during the 2017/18 financial year. The exercise will among others, assist government to determine the cost of providing Universal Postal Service.
BOCRA has developed a new pricing framework to enhance competition in the ICT market and ensure affordability of ICT services. The framework will be
implemented in the financial year 2017/18 and mainly comprises of new requirements on wholesale service providers to share upfront, their service offerings to other licensed operators who in turn will provide service at retail level. The framework also provides guidance on how service providers must price their wholesale and retail services.
Development of ICT infrastructure
In order to enhance our national broadband connectivity my Ministry through Botswana Fibre Networks Pty (BOFINET) has recently completed installation of three major fibre backbone projects being Tsabong – Two rivers, Mohembo- Gudigwa, Kachikau – Parakarungu. Selibe Phikwe to Mathathane is nearing completion and expected end of March 2017. These projects were all successfully completed and service is now available in these areas, giving us an additional 23 localities in Kgalagadi, Chobe and the Okavango districts that are covered with fibre infrastructure.
We have has delivered Fibre to the Business (FTTB) in Gaborone, Francistown, Serowe, Palapye, Mahalapye, selibe Phikwe and Mogoditshane covering about 938 premises with additional 497 and 41 premises due to be provisioned in Gaborone and Francistown respectively. This has improved connectivity and our customers are now enjoying an improved and reliable connectivity. The aim of this project is to improve connectivity in the localities and improve efficiency of doing business in Botswana. The intention is to provide high speed fibre connectivity to all business premises, schools, Government offices, hotels and shopping areas in all major localities in the next five years.
My Ministry through the Universal Service and Access fund has embarked on a project to provide internet connectivity through WiFi hotspots in strategic areas such as hospitals, shopping malls, airport, border posts and bus ranks. The project is spearheaded by BOFINET and has successfully installed these hotspots in Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, Serowe, Francistown, Maun and Kasane. All these hotspots are now operational.
Separation and Privatisation of BTCL
Following the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Botswana Telecommunications
Corporation Limited (BTCL) shares on 21 December 2015, and the subsequent closing of the same on 4th March 2016, BTCL was officially listed in the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) main board on 8th of April 2016. At the time of listing, BTCL had the record, which it still holds, of the most oversubscribed listing in Botswana.
BTCL post listing performance likely driven in part by the euphoria of the landmark event that was the first public entity to list in the BSE was mainly positive, as signified by share price gain of up to 30% to value of P1.30. However, this was followed by a negative period, particularly following the company’s first financial results as a listed company (which showed a loss, necessitated by writing off some assets). The results both in terms of financial results and the share price have since taken a positive turn. From a previous low of P0.87, the shares have rebounded to share price of up to P1.22, as at 24 February 2017. This share price represents a percentage year to date change (%YTD) of 24.49%, which is not only the best performance in BSE, but several orders more than the nearest performer (which came in at 3.77%). The market capital of the company itself grew from P1.05 billion at listing to P1.281 billion.At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) post-listing, BTCL has also appointed a new team (Board of Directors) to drive the company forward. This is a high calibre team that reflects the ambition of the organisation and all of its shareholders.
Initiatives
Notwithstanding the challenges phased in the implementation of the e-Gov project, limited public services including school examination results, name search for registration of companies, tax registration and filling of returns, government bookshop online, livestock identification and registration of contractors have been successfully delivered.
Recommendations on the establishment of Programme Management Office (PMO) have been submitted and will be implemented in the 2017/18 financial year The project to develop Service Oriented Enterprise Architecture (SOEA) is still ongoing and have completed a consolidated Government Enterprise Architecture and Interoperability Framework and the target framework for three ministries being Ministry of Agriculture Development and Food Security, Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry and my Ministry. The next phase will cover five more Ministries. Expansion of the ICT infrastructure has already commenced and the supplier is on site.
Merger of BSB and Botswana Post
Following the engagement of a consultancy to conductadue diligence study on the merging organisations Botswana Post, Botswana Couriers & Logistics and Botswana Savings Bank (BSB), a lot of progress has been made. The study will recommend the most appropriate corporate business model and an optimal organizational structure for operationalization of the merger. The study is expected to be concluded by May 2017 and immediately implementation of the recommendations thereof. The tender for the consultancy services was awarded in July 2016.
The resultant corporate business model is expected to offer Batswana access to one-stop- shop for postal, financial inclusion, courier, logistics and related services efficiently and at reasonable cost.
Home delivery of mail
As a demonstration of Government’s support for the National Addressing and Postal Code, my Ministry through Botswana Post is conducting a Home Mail Delivery Pilot Project in Gaborone Block 7 and 8 after successful completion of the Tshane pilot Project. This project commenced in July 2016 and is expected to run for 12 months.
The pilot project brought together different stakeholders such as Water Utilities, Councils and the private sector to send mail through this service. The service will be delivered to 6240 households in the two areas and was targeted to deliver two mail items per month. Government has disbursed 4.7 million pula towards procurement of post boxes for use in this pilot. The rollout of home mail services will yield efficiency in door-to-door delivery of parcels and mail to the public at affordable tariffs.
School Connectivity
My Ministry continues to support efforts in our education system where the use of ICTs is very important for students’ learning. In this era, ICT has become an imperative for efficient learning. My Ministry will in the coming financial year 2017/18, continue to provide ICT gadgets through the Schools Connectivity initiatives, especially educational laptops to different schools across the country. For this, we have two dedicated projects.
The first project is a collaboration of my Ministry together with Mascom Wireless and BOFINET which will connect 523 public schools in 85 villages that have Mascom network of 3G technology to the broadband network and provide them with ICT devices for use in accessing the services.
33. The other project lead by BOCRA will also connect and provide ICT equipment to 175 public schools in Mabutsane sub District, Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, Kweneng and North West District as part of the universal access and service strategy recommendation. Procurement for this project is still ongoing. The aim is to have computerised and connected broadband internet to all public schools by end of 2019.
Transport Sector
In mitigating the escalating Road Accidents, our focus has shifted to improving driving schools and driving instructors by enhancing our legislative instruments which are: The Road Traffic Act (RTA) and Road Transport Permits Act (RTPA). Some Regulations of the Road Traffic Act have been reviewed and these regulations include Road Traffic (Driving Schools and Driving Instructors) Regulations. The driving schools and driving Instructors regulations advocates for conducive, proper, well equipped and professional driving schools with better facilities manned by qualified driver instructors, with an approved training programme by Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA).
My Ministry is further considering the introduction of the Road Traffic (Demerit Points) Regulations, which aims at improving the driving culture by introducing punitive measures to careless drivers, which may lead to suspension or revocation of a driving licence.
Smoking vehicles
Consideration is been taken to enhance Public Health Safety, by introducing the Road Traffic (Control of Motor Vehicle Emissions, Importation and Registration of pre-owned Motor Vehicles) Regulations. This regulation will assist in the facilitation of outsourcing of the vehicle road worthiness and emission test to private motor dealers as a measure to reduce congestions at the Department of Roads transport and Safety.
Road Infrastructure
There has been significant progress as regards to the commencement and completion of mega projects in my Ministry. The bulk of development budget for my Ministry was used for continuation of the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) projects, Tonota – Francistown (30km) dual road, Road Sector Investment (Output and Performance Based Contracts), Kazungula Bridge, Mohembo Bridge and Chalershill - Ncojane road which are carried over from 2015/16 financial year.
The Tonota - Francistown (30km) road has been completed and was opened to traffic in September 2016. The completion of the road has enhanced traffic flow between Tonota and Francistown. The Thapama interchange is 86% complete and is expected to be opened to traffic by July 2017. The construction works for Charleshill – Ncojane (109km) road commenced in June 2016 and currently progress stands at 18.
Construction of Mohembo Bridge across the Okavango River commenced in November 2016 and is expected to be completed by July 2019.
Madam Chairperson My Ministry has made progress in the implementation of ESP projects with 3 mega projects being Gaborone – Boatle, Tshesebe – Masunga, and Dibete – Mookane – Machaneng road being awarded for construction.
The bidding documents for construction for Molepolole Through road, Mogoditshane – Mankgodi junction and Mabeleapudi Serule are in draft stage while design of access roads is progressing at different levels. Designs of Mmathethe – Tsoaneng and Modipane – Mabalane are expected to commence next financial year.
Traffic Congestion in Gaborone
Following completion of the Greater Gaborone Multimodal Transport Study of 2011, a number of interventions were recommended to address the challenges of congestion and road traffic accidents in Greater Gaborone. Amongst these, were proposals to upgrade the traffic signals and intersections in order to ease traffic flow.
51. In this regard, my Ministry completed conceptual designs and bidding documents for traffic signals improvement and establishment of a centralised traffic control centre and surveillance system. Subsequently, a tender was advertised for the traffic signals installations and is currently in the final stages of adjudication following a protracted clearance process with the World Bank. My Ministry has also completed conceptual designs and is in the process of finalising bidding documents for the upgrading of three intersections along K T Motsete Drive (‘Western Bypass’) at the crossing of Lobatse Road (‘Game City Circle’), Kudumatse Drive (‘Rainbow Circle’) and Will Seboni/Mogoditshane Road (‘BTV Circle’).
Botswana Railways
Botswana Railways on March 22, 2016 launched the Passenger Train Service, named the “BR Express”. Subsequently the BR Express commenced operations as was announced. At commencement of the service, challenges were experienced on various coaches. However, these have since been addressed and currently coaches are working in good order; the four major setbacks that were experienced were the following: Fuel contamination by water in the Generator Van; Faults on air conditioning system; Faults in toilet system; and Faults in the electrical system.
In line with the passenger train service, a project to refurbish railways stations is currently on-going. Six (6) stations were planned for upgrade and refurbishment, being Francistown, Serule, Palapye, Mahalapye, Gaborone and Lobatse. The project is scheduled to be completed by end of March 2017. The project for Mahalapye and Palapye has been differed to the next financial year 2017/18.
Aviation Sector
My Ministry will continue to develop our airport infrastructure in order to attract investors and tourists. I am pleased to announce that the New Maun Control Tower was completed in May 2016 and is currently under defects liability period. Efforts are underway to construct a new Terminal Building in Maun but in the meantime we are also in the process of refurbishing the current Terminal Building to modernize it and reduce congestion. The refurbishment is expected to be completed by mid-2017 while the new Terminal building is expected in 2022.
Kasane Terminal Building which is behind schedule is also expected to be completed by mid-2017. Maintenance of Gumare Airfield was completed in November 2016 while Shakawe is expected to be completed end of March 2017.
60. Contracts for installation of Air Traffic Control equipment in both the Maun and Kasane International Airports new towers were signed in May and September 2016 respectively. Equipment for Maun has been delivered and is currently being installed. These are to be commissioned in June 2017. For Kasane, the equipment is being manufactured and is scheduled to be delivered in June 2017.
Botswana has adopted the African Union Commission’s decision of the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly. The commission was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2015, and focused on the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decisions on liberalisation of air transport markets in Africa (1999). The event also marked the establishment of a Single African Air Transport Market that came into effect in January this year 2017.
This means Botswana skies are fully liberalised or rather Botswana is practising an open skies policy. Furthermore there is no protection for the National Airline to operate exclusively in the Scheduled Domestic Air Transport Market. Any operator with the financial muscle and competence can enter and compete in the scheduled air transport market in Botswana.
Improving CTO service delivery
In implementing the CTO policy objectives of improving service delivery and decentralization, CTO was able to accredit a number of garages with a view to address the delays in delivery of maintenance services to government ministries. Some of these garages continue to perform the repairs below the required standards and therefore get delisted (15 have been delisted this year), thereby defeating this noble effort by government in her privatisation initiatives. Following the decision to decentralise the management of vehicle maintenance to ministries to ensure increased accountability and speedy services, ministries tend not to use the accredited garages and also have inadequate maintenance budgets.
A contractor has been identified for the outsourcing of the Kazungula Ferry and a trial run from April 2016 to July 2016 was delayed as a result of consultations with all relevant stakeholders such as Attorney General’s Chambers. Some repairs on the ferry are also being carried out to ensure the contractor gets it in a suitable state.
Mohembo Ferry
Following the increased construction activities in the Mohembo area, the Mohembo ferries continue to require regular servicing and repairs. This has led to the bigger ferry requiring new engines which have been procured from local suppliers. The old engines are failing, and this is exacerbated by the flooding river. The replacement of the engines will be completed by the end of April 2017.
In an effort to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of fuel to government vehicles, consultations are at an advanced stage between my Ministry, NSO, Botswana Oil, Energy Affairs Department and PEEPA to engage the private sector in provision of fuel through private filling stations and outsourcing of CTO Fuel points. My Ministry is also considering outsourcing Pool Services to the private sector in order to increase the capacity of government to carry out its mandate
Recurrent: P1 175 718 268
Development: P 3 710 156 170