18 Aug 2019

Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) president, Mr Biggie Butale says infrastructure development is vital in resuscitating and diversifying the economy.

Mr Butale said a rejuvenated economy would ultimately address national challenges like unemployment.

Addressing a BPF rally at Habitat freedom square in Mahalapye on August 16, Mr Butale said time was nigh to make positive change that would be of benefit to the nation.

He said national challenges of unemployment and an economy that was not growing would only be dealt with by voting for BPF at the coming general election.

The BPF president said infrastructural development was a stable foundation towards a diverse economy. He said it was important to develop, among others, communication networks, road and rail infrastructure as they were a foundation to growing the economy.

Mr Butale also added that it was important to ease way of doing business by providing land and structures to be used by potential investors. He said it was also important to revive the business sector and produce more for exportation.

Mr Butale said the country was rich in natural resources and minerals and therefore had a potential of empowering its people and grow the industrial sector.

Under the BPF government, Mr Butale said priority areas would include exploring the cattle value chain and use some of the cattle by-products like leather and establish a shoe factory. He said a textile industry was among the potential projects to be considered.

Mr Butale said reviving the agricultural sector would not only create employment opportunities but would also rejuvenate and diversify the economy.

“We must revive the agricultural sector, move away from rain fed crop production and advocate for irrigation. We must produce enough food to sustain our populace and export surplus budget,” he said. 

The BPF also advocated for local beneficiation through the use of natural resources. 

Mr Butale said the country was also abundant in coal deposits and therefore the BPF was of the view that such natural resources must be tapped into and produce paint, among other products.

He said it was also time for the country to have sources of generating revenue, create employment opportunities and be self-sufficient in food production.  He said the BPF was determined to create an environment full of hope for all.

“We can only achieve the desired changes through a vote and that vote must be for BPF,” said Mr Butale.

He further informed the gathering that as part preparations for the general elections, the party would launch its manifesto in September at Francistown.

“We only plead to you, to vote for BPF at the polls so that we can act on improving your livelihoods,” he said.

Mr Butale said democratic principles must be enjoyed in totality and that would only be possible under the BPF government.

Therefore, Mr Butale informed BPF members that taking power form the BDP must not be seen as something out of the ordinary.

“All you have to do on election day, is to take your ballot paper and put a cross opposite that sign of a wall clock and by so doing, you will be giving the BPF time to serve your interests,” said Mr Butale.

Meanwhile, BPF parliamentary candidate for Mahalapye East, Mr Lazarus Lekgowanyana said the BPF was ready to govern.

“When we say it is time, we mean the BDP time is over and now it is time for BPF to take the nation to the promised land where their interests will be served,” said Mr Lekgowanyana. 

He said the BPF was fighting to restore democratic principles that were diminishing under the BDP government. Ends