Energy crisis, drought overshadow SADC summit
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Morupule B has failed to produce electricity for Botswana while drought has hit the Southern Africa region
Yesterday, senior officials from SADC member states began deliberating sectoral issues ranging from trade, finance, infrastructure, agriculture and other sectors in various technical committees.
The Council of Ministers, which comprises foreign affairs and finance ministers from each member state, will receive reports from the technical committees, ahead of the Heads of State summit, which starts next Monday.
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...