Serame returns to Parliament to request additional P2.4 billion
Minister of Finance and Economic Development Peggy Serame has returned to Parliament to seek another supplement budget to help Botswana emerge out of the COVID-19 mess. On Thursday, Parliament was informed that P2.4 billion is requested through the Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure—Financial Paper No.2 of 2021/2022 for the Recurrent and Development Budgets.
The Supplementary budget proposals consist of P587 million and P1.9 billion under the Recurrent and Development budgets. Justifying the request, Serame told lawmakers that the COVID-19 pandemic requires Government to continue implementing targeted interventions to save the lives of Batswana and those living in Botswana.
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”1,2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]She explained that the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic requires further financial resources. “You would remember, Mr Speaker, that I presented Supplementary Estimates in July 2021 to this Honourable House in part to seek resources to address the debilitating impact of the virus. I have once again come to request for additional resources as the fight against the pandemic goes on,” she said.
She revealed that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is facing increasing challenges in the fight against the disease due to the continued mutation of the virus and escalating costs of medical essentials needed to combat it. To this end, P1 .6 billion has been allocated to the COVID-19 Relief vote. This amount consists of the original budget allocation of P426 million and a supplementary budget of P1.1 billion, approved through the Financial Paper No.1 of 2021/2022.
The latest expenditure report dated 9th December 2021 indicates that an amount of P1.1 billion or 71 percent of the budget allocation for the vote has been spent so far. The remaining balance is earmarked for various health requisites, including, among others, expenditure on; PPEs, booster vaccines; internet connectivity at vaccination sites; home-based care, vaccine transportation, to name but a few.
Out of P587 million requested under the recurrent budget, P560 million goes to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The remaining balance of P26.7 million is directed to the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security. Concerning the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), the Supplementary Budget is requested to augment the existing COVID-19 Pandemic Relief vote to enable procurement of booster vaccines, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Oxygen Concentrators and Oxygen Generation Plants.
Serame explained that according to health experts, it had been found that vaccine effectiveness wanes over time, hence the need to provide booster shots. “Booster shots are found to increase the immune response against the COVID-19 virus in the fully vaccinated. It is, therefore, critical for Government to provide booster shots, especially for people sixty-five (65) years of age and above, and those with underlying conditions,” Serame said. Out of the total request, an amount of P140 million is being requested to purchase additional booster vaccines.
A further P47 million will be utilized for the associated cost of freight for the vaccine consignments. Still, as part of the total request under the MOHW, P115 million is requested for oxygen concentrators and oxygen generation plants. An additional amount of P259 million is also requested to cater to PPEs as part of Botswana’s response strategy requirements.
Arguing the case for the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security case, Serame said the budget would cater to the anticipated budgetary shortfall resulting from the recently approved extension of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) by three months. The items for which the supplementary funding is requested include equipment for maintenance and the de-induction phase.
Under the Development Budget, the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services (MLWS) requires additional funds amounting to P1 .9 billion to continue implementing the water infrastructure projects. The approved Ministry budget allocation for the financial year 2021/2022 is P3.4 billion, and expenditure to date is at P3.2 or 99 percent of the 2021/2022 budget. The remaining P383 million is expected to be entirely spent by December 2021, hence, this request for additional funding.
The budget shortfall under these projects is mainly attributed to the previous years’ challenges in implementing the NDP 11 planned projects. A substantial proportion of the projects experienced slow progress during the first half of the Plan period. Major projects such as Maun Water and Sanitation Contracts 1 & 2; NSC2.2 – Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant, and NSC 2.2 Contracts 1, 2, 3 and 4 were delayed by procurement challenges and disputes, resulting in low expenditure levels for the first three (3) years of the Plan period.
In the 2020/2021 financial year, the Ministry started making significant progress in implementation of some of the major projects such as Maun Water and Sanitation Contract 1; Construction of Water Supply Distribution Network and Sanitation Reticulation as well as Contract 2;
Development of Ground-Water source and equipping boreholes, upgrading of pump stations and treatment plants progressed to construction stage; 100km Masama; and the Mmamashia Water Pipeline and Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant also commenced.
Furthermore, other projects such as Maun Water and Sanitation Contract 3 – connection of pipelines to satellite villages and Goodhope Water Supply Phase 2 were delayed at the award stage due to budgetary constraints.[/ihc-hide-content]
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.