Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has promised to exert pressure on government to deliver and fulfill its promises.
The BCP vice president Mr Taolo Lucas said when addressing a press conference recently, explaining that the pressure would be in the form of motions, questions and private members bills to strengthen the rule of law and to make the government to account. He said so far, three motions from BCP Members of Parliament were adopted, one was rejected while the other was being debated by Parliament.
Also, he said over 400 questions were asked in Parliament and majority of them were from his party legislators. He said BCP MPs would continue to ask questions.
“We will continue to ask questions, they expose so many things and also help us to be informed about our constituencies,” he said.
Mr Lucas further said the party was portraying itself as an alternative government and was taking its engagement in Parliament seriously, hence it was actively participating in parliament and its committees. Also, Mr Lucas said government seemed to have somersaulted on political party funding, which he said was a plan to starve opposition parties of funding.
The party Opposition Whip in Parliament, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said as the main opposition party, they had to ensure that democracy and the rule of law existed in the country.
“We cannot afford to take the foot off the pedal,” he said adding that the pressure they exerted on the government was bearing fruits.
Also, he said the party had noted some positive changes by the government towards the opposition such as the appointment of a private secretary for the Leader of Opposition as well as allowing people to protest. However, he said the ruling party appeared not eager to act on the petitions, citing the temporary teachers whom he said nothing was done to address their grievances after they had protested twice.
BCP Secretary General Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile however expressed disapproval of the executive approach towards Parliament, adding that there was a habit of cabinet members missing Parliament. He said the trend had resulted with some of questions asked in Parliament not being answered, adding that even the Leader of the House was hardly in Parliament.
Also, Mr Kekgonegile said the government appeared not to be transparent in its financial management, adding that direct appointments in major tenders such as the forensic audit was a concern.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
