Africa-Press – Botswana. The 2023/24 budget scheduled to be presented this afternoon by Minister of Finance, Ms Peggy Serame also marks the beginning of the two-year Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP).
Adopted by Parliament last November, the plan is a bridge between National Development Plan 11 (NDP 11) and its successor, NDP 12.It is against this background that economists are expecting an expansionary budget although uncertainties remain over government’s limited revenue streams against increased developmental needs.
Presenting TNDP last year, Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng said government had budgeted over P64 billion to be spent over the two years.
Projects to be covered include those planned under NDP 11 but were negatively affected by COVID-19.
The Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs is expected to receive the lion’s share of the budget amounting to P8.457 billion mainly due toongoing national water reticulation projects.
They include North South Carrier 2.2 and 2.3 and Molepolole connection to the pipeline through the Gamononyane treatment plant.
Other major works are Lobatse Water Master Plan, Goodhope Water Supply and Kasane/Kazungula Water Network rehabilitation.
Apart from ongoing projects, new ones are in the pipeline such as the Namibia-Botswana project as well as the Chobe-Zambezi and Lesotho-Botswana water transfer schemes.
The second largest budget, 15.2 per cent, has been earmarked for the Ministry of Transport and Public Works where P8.572 billion has been budgeted for road infrastructure.
Through the development of road networks, government aims to stimulate economic activity and value chain development.
The funds will cover construction, reconstruction and expansion of road networks, providing alternative routes and connecting production areas.
Ongoing infrastructure projects are construction of Molambakwena-Tshesebe via Mosojane road, upgrading of three intersections in Gaborone, Mmankgodi-Jwaneng Road and expansion of Boatle-Lobatse Road into a dual carriageway.
New projects include the Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mmankgodi junction road and reconstruction of Francistown-Nata, Nata-Maun and Maun-Mohembo roads as well as Molepolole bypass.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has set aside an estimated P4 billion to provide and maintain internal roads in villages and towns to be undertaken under the Constituency Community Projects facility.
To keep abreast of escalating crime and threats within and outside the country, the Ministry of Defence and Security has also received a significant amount to be used for development of Botswana Defence Force facilities and equipment acquisition as well as construction of new police stations and posts.
While the economy has experienced budget deficits during NDP 11, Minister Serame remains optimistic that the country will return to balanced budget days despite the limited revenue streams challenges. ENDS
The Minister of Finance, Ms Peggy Serame is expected to deliver the 2023/24 National Budget on Monday February 6, marking the beginning of the two-year Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP).
Adopted by Parliament during the November session, the TNDP works as a transitional plan for two years before the implementation of the 12th National Development Plan (NDP 12).
It is on this background that economists are expecting an expansionary budget, although uncertainties remain hanging over the government’s limited revenue streams against increased developmental needs.
Presenting the TNDP, the Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng said through the TNDP, government had budgeted over P64 billion to be spent over the two year period.
Developments covered include completion of ongoing projects and introduction of new ones.
Some of the development projects that had to be undertaken through NDP 11 were negatively affected by COVID-19 projects, hence most projects in the TNDP are ongoing.
The Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs is expected to receive the lion’s share of the budget at a total of P8.457 billion mainly due to the ongoing national water reticulation projects.
Amongst the projects being undertaken are the North South Carrier (NSC) 2.2 and 2.3 and the connection of Molepolole to the NSC through the Gamononyane Water Treatment plant.
Other major water works are Lobatse Water Master Plan, Goodhope Water Supply and Kasane/Kazungula Water Network rehabilitation.
While ongoing projects such as the ones mentioned above would receive the bulk of the budget, there are new planned cross border projects such as the Namibia-Botswana project, Chobe-Zambezi water transfer scheme and Lesotho-Botswana water transfer scheme.
The second largest budget, 15.2 per cent of the total TNDP estimates, has been earmarked for the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, where P8.572 billion has been budgeted for roads infrastructure.
Through the development of the road networks, the government aims to stimulate economic activity and value chain development.
The project will cover construction, reconstruction and expansion of road networks, providing alternative routes and connecting production areas.
Amongst the ongoing projects are the construction of Molambakwena-Tshesebe via Mosojane road, upgrading of three intersections in Gaborone, Mmankgodi-Jwaneng road and expansion of Boatle-Lobatse road into a dual carriageway.
New projects include the Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mmankgodi junction road, Francistown-Nata reconstruction, Nata-Maun reconstruction, Maun-Mohembo reconstruction and Molepolole bypass.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has set aside an estimated P4 billion to provide and maintain internal roads in villages and towns, mainly to be undertaken through Constituency Community Projects (CCP).
To keep abreast with escalating crime and threats within and outside the country, the Ministry of Defence and Security has also received a significant amount of funds to be used for development of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) facilities and equipment acquisition as well as construction of new police stations and police posts.
While the economy has experienced budget deficits during NDP 11, the minister remains optimistic that despite the challenges amidst limited revenues, the country will have a balanced budget.
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