Africa-Press – Botswana. Vice President also Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe delivered his maiden budget speech in Parliament.
As per the standing orders, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said the first day of the session would primarily be focused on one agenda item where the Minister of Finance presents the 2025/26 budget estimates.
Briefing the media on Friday, he said Tuesday would be a clear day, where legislators will digest what was presented while the third day would be the opening of the debates on the budget estimates, where the Leader of Opposition was expected to lead the debate.
He said in 10 days legislators would focus on the general principles followed by committee of supply with a maximum of 18 days.
Mr Keorapetse said the meeting would be expected to take a period not exceeding 10 weeks.
Even though the session was devoted to discussing the budget estimates, pressing bills would be catered for, he said.
In order to finalise the budget estimates and meet the March 31 deadline which concludes the current financial year, Mr Keorapetse said the discussions on the budget must be concluded in seven weeks.
He said the appropriation bill debates was expected to end on or around April 17 and allow Parliament to discuss other issues either being policy and financial papers from government or private business.
Mr Keorapetse said prior to the presentation of the budget speech, legislators were engaged on the understanding of the budget, standing orders, financial procedures in order to handle and debate with a clear understanding.
He was however concerned that women were under represented in the 13th Parliament. Mr Keorapetse said women legislators were only six in the house, of which three were specially elected.
Mr Keorapetse said even the National Assembly had been under the stewardship of 10 Speakers, of which only two were women.
He said during the first meeting of the first session of the 13th Parliament, 350 questions from Members of Parliament were asked of which 150 received answers.
He said three motions were presented before the house of which one was rejected.
Mr Keorapetse also added that six bills were presented and debated by the house of which the main ones were dealing with financial related issues with the view of complying with anti money laundering, anti- financing of terrorism and anti -proliferation of weapons of mass destruction standards.
He said only one bill was not related as it focused on the restoration of the public service bargaining council. Mr Keorapetse said all the bills were agreed to and passed by Parliament.
He said the new government was focused on nurturing and growing democratic principles.
As the Speaker, Mr Keorapetse said he had the statutory obligation in terms of the law to reform, develop and ensure independence of the National Assembly.
Even though faced with shortage of resources, he said independence of Parliament was among the primary focus of his tenure.
He said it was their intention to among others start a working relationship with the media.
“We do not want to be far from the media,” he said.
Mr Keorapetse said an ideal situation was to in the future have fully fledged Parliament channels on radio and television.
He said it would be necessary to engage the media through periodic press conferences and also have a Parliament spokesperson who would be well equipped and fully empowered to represent Parliament.
“We appeal to the media to closely work with us. You are all welcome to adequately cover Parliament proceedings, seek clarity whenever there is a need and balance your reporting of Parliament business” he said.
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