Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi will hold two consultative meetings every year with members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi.
Speaking at the end of a two-day joint retreat for Office of the President and Ntlo ya Dikgosi at Manong Game Lodge yesterday, Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said President Masisi valued the contribution of dikgosi to the country’s development.
“It has never happened before in the history of this country for the President to have a retreat with members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi and consult and share ideas that would take the country forward. It is a clear indication that the President values consultation,” said Mr Morwaeng.
He added that President Masisi wanted dikgosi to continue playing a role in government in order to attain a high income status driven by the Reset Agenda.
Mr Morwaeng also said government wanted to increase revenue sources by maximising opportunities from resources such as minerals, tourism and the beef sector.
He said maximising benefits from such sectors would increase revenue, which would enable government to fund more development projects.
The minister further informed dikgosi about the newly introduced development manager system aimed at improving efficiency in project implementation.
“Through the development manager system, we are going to speed up the efficiency of all government infrastructure projects such as roads and buildings. We would ensure that they are done on time, at the specified budget and that they are of the correct quality,” said the minister.
He added that citizen owned companies would be preferred as it was important for government to support them.
Mr Morwaeng also emphasised that President Masisi wanted to see the country’s resources used to improve the economic condition of citizens.
He said dikgosi, as traditional leaders, should play a significant role in this mission.
The minister also commended dikgosi for agreeing to assist in changing the mindset of their communities.
Minister Morwaeng said issues discussed at the retreat included the constitutional review.
For her part, Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Ms Emma Peloetletse said the retreat was interactive and that the purpose was to enable the two parties to retrace their footsteps to the pre-independence era as well as to reflect on the critical role that the bogosi institution had in nation building and the development of the country.
“It was also critical for the parties to exchange views on how the bogosi institution could be enhanced in the modern era as we seek to reposition bogosi institution such that it continues significantly in advancing the development agenda for the attainment of Vision 2036 aspirations,” Ms Peloetletse said.
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