Bot50 Celebrations Can Stimulate Economy

When ESP programmes are mentioned, Bot50, another money spinning initiative for local musicians, promoters, and entertainment related companies and venues, is often not mentioned, curiously, as one of the envisaged drivers of the economy or contributors of the economy in as far as added government spending in the local economy is concerned.

But it should be mentioned in the same breath as the ESP, for now we know, all thanks to a recent court case last week to be precise, that at least one of the tenders, the opening ceremony of the Independence Day, would be in the region of P11 million. But we know that this is not all, there have been more numerous tenders relating to Bot50 celebrations, about four more, that also runs into millions of Pula.

It would be ideal for the Ministry responsible to appraise the nation, especially through parliament, about the total budget for Bot50, tenders awarded, and how they continue to trickle down to Batswana.

Editor's Comment
Micro-procurement maze demands urgent reform

Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...

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