Seakgosing challenges MPs to put money where their mouths are

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Monday November 29, 2010 00:00

 

The money - which is not much - should be put together in six months, he asserted.Responding to President Ian Khama's State of the Nation address in Parliament last week, Seakgosing said the opposition was fond of accusing the government of not doing enough to fight poverty while it did nothing to demonstrate its concerns.

He said contributions of P10,000 by each of the 61 MPs in the House and the Speaker would amount to P620,000, which could build up to nine houses.

As we speak, President Khama is building houses for the poor,' he said. 'What about us MPs? Do you mean as representatives of the people, we will just sit back and do nothing?

'I come before you to ask MPs to put up houses for the poor. Let's donate as little as P10,000 so that we too can help Batswana. 'We need to help the government. Today we will see if you are just fond of complaining or you are people of action who can stand up and contribute.'

Seakgosing said P10,000 was not a lot of money and asked the MPs to ensure that the contributions were concluded in six months. The first to shoot down Seakgosing's challenge was the MP for Gaborone North, Keletso Rakhudu, who said it should be noted 'for the record' that Seakgosing's suggestion should not be regarded as something agreed to by Parliament.

Subsequently, the Leader of Opposition, Botsalo Ntuane, told The Monitor that Seakgosing was playing to the gallery and that he sought to curry favour with President Khama 'who has come up with a housing appeal'.

'These initiatives can take the place of a comprehensive policy to address the shortage of housing in this country,' he said. 'Rather, Dr Seakgosing should urge the government to come up with a proper policy instead of the half-baked measures he proposes.'