27 Mar 2025

Parliament on Tuesday concluded the debate on the appropriation bill by authorising government to release the consolidated funds for use in the financial year 2025/26 recurrent and development budgets.

The Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe said the 2025/26 budget stands as testament to government unwavering commitment to a luminous future for Botswana.

In his presentation, Mr Gaolathe proposed the appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund the sum of P23 749 171 200 to finance the development expenditure and P23 390 879 331 to the Domestic Development Fund to finance part of the 2025/2026 development programmes.

Mr Gaolathe said the reminder would be financed by loans and development grants amounting to P230 million and P128 291 869 respectively, which were direct receipt in the development fund.

In addition, Mr Gaolathe said P230 million was being proposed for appropriation to the Tertiary Education Development Fund (TEDF).

He said the TEDF was a special fund set up through statutory instrument No. 57 of 2004, to meet the costs of establishment of the Medical School and its associated facilities, expansion of the University of Botswana as well as the establishment of the Botswana International University of Science and technology (BIUST).

He said P130 million was set aside for expanding the teaching and learning space; lecture rooms and auditoriums at BIUST with construction expected to commence in April 2025.

In addition, Mr Gaolathe said part of the proposed funds would cover transactional advisor for the construction of 3 000 beds students residence through Public Private Partnership model to facilitate increased intake of students.

On the other hand, Mr Gaolathe said UB required P80 million for the construction of additional student accommodation on campus to cater for 630 students in 2025/2026.

“This will allow UB to offer all first year and international students accommodation on campus. The total beds required to accommodate both international and first year students is 1 800 and this will be achieved over a period of three years,” he said.

Minister for State President and Specially Elected MP, Mr Moeti Mohwasa said the funds were dispensed at a time when there was a serious concern of unemployment while those employed were not adequately paid.

Mr Mohwasa said government must, therefore, deploy measures to create employment opportunities.

He said government had found in place an economy, which had segregated people, as the divide between the wealthy and the poor was vivid while the public sector was unhappy and oppressed.

He said even though people have hope in the government to turn things around, the situation was that the past government was not able to generate income and grow the economy.

Therefore, he appealed to all legislators to admit that the new government, though still on its formidable stage had done enough the cater for the new born babies, the elderly, issuance of sanitary pads to the girl-child and the needy among others.

Mr Mohwasa said politics and differences aside, there were times when politicians must come together to build a strong and united nation.

He said whoever had the financial muscle and the ability to assist government provide accommodation, must do so and assist the new government in its journey of building a new Botswana. As such, he said passing the budget was the first step in that direction.

Serowe South MP, Mr Leepetswe Lesedi said there was a lot to be done, hoping that the release of funds would go a long way in ensuring that such pertinent projects and issues were put to the fore with the intention of improving lives.

Despite the shortcomings resulting from financial constraints, Mr Lesedi said there was renewed hope in the nation that unemployment would be reduced among the youth.

Thamaga/Kumakwane MP, Mr Palelo Motaosane said  he had trust in Mr Gaolathe that funds wastage would be dealt with, as every expenditure would be accounted for.

Mr Motaosane was worried that government processes and procedures might not followed to the latter, therefore resulting in loopholes leading to unnecessary financial losses.

He said there was unnecessary expenditure toward the end of the financial year, and appealed to ministers to fully supervise what was going on in their ministries.

Maun North MP and Leader of Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said since the budget had a high deficit, focus must be in reducing unnecessary expenditure.

He said it was important to focus on basic economics and differentiate between needs and wants.

Mr Saleshando said it was necessary to account and ensure that entities such as Directorate of Intelligence and Security were engaged accordingly to reduce unnecessary expenditure.

He agreed with the minister that supplementary budget only be allowed to cover for unforeseen circumstances. ENDS