Mixed reactions to Geoscience Bill
Friday, May 30, 2014
The objective of the Geoscience Bill is to provide for the establishment of the Botswana Geoscience Institute for the purpose of undertaking research in the field of geosciences and provide specialised geoscience services, empower the institute to be the custodian of geoscience information; promoting the search and exploration of minerals in Botswana, to act as an advisory body in respect of geohazards and for matters incidental thereto.
Clause 6, Sub section 3 of the Bill states that the Board will consist of eight members, appointed by the Minister from amongst persons whom the minister considers qualified by reason of their experience or expertise in the areas relevant to the functions of the Institution.
That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...