Debswana’s P20bn CEEP faces fronting challenges
Friday, August 30, 2024 | 1430 Views |
Speaking out: Motsomi PIC: DE BEERS GROUP
CEEP was established in 2019 to reinforce Debswana's 'Building Forever Strategy'. Through the strategy, the mine has sought to procure more of its goods and services from citizen producers and suppliers, while developing supplier development programmes to empower them.
Through the programme, Debswana had set a goal to empower businesses with a value of P20 billion and create 20,000 jobs by 2024. As of April this year, the initiative had reached P19.5 billion in citizen spend, achieving 97% of the target, and had created 16,989 jobs.
More than P8.1 million has already been spent, yet there appears to be no lasting solution in sight. This is not simply a dispute between the DIS and a group of officers. It is a matter of public accountability. Every pula spent by government comes from taxpayers who expect public funds to be used wisely and responsibly, especially during economic hardships faced by many.The officers exercised their constitutional right to seek justice through...