SSKIA upgrading loan gets House nod
BAME PIET
Staff Writer
| Thursday August 7, 2008 00:00
Government intends to build a state-of-the-arts terminal building to the tune of P400 million that will accommodate approximately 450 people. The runway will also be extended from 3000m - 4000m to cater for large aircraft.
However, mystery still remains as to which section of the Finance and Audit Act empowers the finance minister to enter into such loan agreements with foreign financiers. Assistant Minister Guma Moyo acknowledged that there was need for clarity on the country's laws. He however maintained that it was the mandate of Parliament, as oversight institution, to debate matters pertaining to funding of government projects. During the debate, Member of Parliament (MP) for Lobatse Nehemiah Modubule challenged the minister to specify which section of the Finance and Audit Act was supposed to guide the MPs in their deliberations. He wanted the debate to be halted, arguing that it would be improper to continue when it was not clear which law was guiding them.
He was defeated and the debate continued with other MPs saying the upgrading would benefit the country. MP for Okavango Vista Moruti accused the government of developing only one side of the country while others are left behind. He said that the Shakawe airstrip should also be upgraded to make travelling in the tourist area easier.
MP for Letlhakeng East Gordon Mokgwathi attracted heavy criticism from other members in the House when he said that he saw nothing important about the upgrading of the airport 'when children still walk 10km to school'. He suggested that government should give priority to other areas such as schools and health facilities. Mokgwathi also criticised the manner in which government loans are acquired from foreign financiers, saying the process is not transparent.
Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry Duke Lefhoko reminded Mokgwathi that he should complain to the right minister of Local Government (Margaret Nasha), who is responsible for primary schools and health facilities in his area. He said that there was going to be a spillover during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, hence Botswana should prepare to reap some of the benefits. He said that his ministry is working hard to lure investors to open direct flights from overseas destinations to Gaborone. Lefhoko also revealed that government is going to improve infrastructure to catch the attention of investors who might come to watch the World Cup games. Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane, Patrick Masimolole, and Kweneneg South East MP, Edward Raletobana, complained that there is plenty of underutilised land in Mogoditshane because it is under the flight path.