Africa-Press – Botswana. The rationalisation of government ministries done in 2018 was to create synergy so that ministries mandates were aligned to improve efficiency.
This was said by Ministry for State President permanent secretary, Ms Goitsemang Morekisi when appearing before the 61st meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Gaborone on Monday. As a result of rationalisation, she said the districts had increased from 12 to 31, a move that was done after consultations.
Since consultations were done, Ms Morekisi said it was unlikely that the increase would brew conflicts with tribal leaders, adding that district commissioners would continue with their coordinating role of central government departments while council secretaries were the authorities for the departments under local government.
As such, Ms Morekisi said district commissioners were not stripped of their powers and only serving as protocol officers as perceived. She also advised that any issues relating to dikgosi and tribal territories would better be placed before the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.
While she said it was not bad idea to do rationalisation of ministries from time to time, she however said the process had cost implications attached to it. Already, she said government was aware that the changes had resulted in among others, shortage of residential and office accommodation as well as human resources. However, Ms Morekisi said necessary action had been taken to ensure that all districts ran smoothly with the limited resources.
When asked by Kanye West legislator, Mr Victor Phologolo to explain the distinction between Office of the President (OP) and the Ministry for State President, Ms Morekisi said even though the two were operating under the same roof, they had distinct mandates. She said OP was not a ministry but an apex coordinating body of government supported by the Ministry for State President.
On the issue emanating from the Auditor General’s report relating to the existence of Kutlwano magazine, which is published by the Department of Information Services, Ms Morekisi said the magazine sales were not impressive. As a result, she said a decision was taken to suspend its printing pending a review, which would ultimately determine its future.
The PAC is of the view that it would be a mistake to think that government could generate money through Kutlwano sales. Rather, the members said the magazine should be used as a tool to generate funds through advertising and be distributed for free to reach all corners of the country.
Molepolole South MP, Mr Shima Monageng said DailyNews and Kutlwano were relevant platforms for communicating government policies and programmes. Mr Monageng said as media platforms, they were equally used to provide the nation with a variety of news articles; therefore their relevance was undisputed.
Ms Morekisi, who stressed that the challenge with Kutlwano was primarily on its distribution and she also concurred with members that the magazine could generate more funds for government through advertising.
The chairperson of the PAC, Mr Taolo Lucas highlighted that government was not doing well in raising funds through advertising. The sitting examined books of accounts of government for the financial year ending March 2022. The report was for the then Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.
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