23 Feb 2025

More than 50 per cent of the budget speech focuses on development, which includes infrastructure development and other sectors with the potential to drive the economy, such as agriculture.

This, according to Gaborone Central, Dr Phenyo Butale proved that the Umbrella for Democratic Change-led government was focused and determined to deliver on its mandate. 

Contributing to the Budget Speech debate on Thursday, Dr Butale, also, Minister of International Relations, said the budget was a policy tool, giving direction where the government was going, how it would tackle and get out of challenges at hand and ultimately achieve its mandate.

 “We want the best managed country, outlining the vision of the new government,” he said.

Dr Butale said one area of priority that government would address was financial leakages that were a result of misuse. 

He said it was important to drive the economy on the road to recovery. 

“We are committed and we have signaled to the nation by among others, increasing the Old Age Pension allowance, provision of sanitary pads to learners among others, and we are moving towards achieving our mandate,” he said.

He further said unemployment remained a serious concern, adding that the budget gave hope that such challenges would be addressed. 

Dr Butale said there was nothing wrong continuing with what was started by the previous government. 

Meanwhile, he said lack of maintenance plans for schools infrastructure remained a challenge.

The minister said schools such as Maoka Junior Secondary School in the constituency dilapidated due to lack of maintenance. ENDS