Africa-Press – Botswana. Government should move swiftly and build a second state house, Member of Parliament for Tonota and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi has said.
The MP expressed the view when commenting on the 2024/25 budget proposal for Parliament on Monday.
He said it was the trend worldwide, including in Africa for countries to have two state houses saying the President should be able to attend to his executive duties outside Gaborone, including hosting his counterparts during working visits.
Mr Moatlhodi, however, said although he supported the budget proposal, it was not adequate.
In his contribution, Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane, Mr Tumiso Rakgare called on MPs to be exemplary and to respect the law.
He said it would be disappointing for MPs not to declare their assets as per the law they formulated, adding that they should be exemplary in fulfilling the requirements of the law.
He urged fellow MPs to use Parliament for its legislative purpose as opposed to attacking the President, his family and other community leaders who were not members.
He said attacking others while in Parliament was abusing its immunity and a bad precedent.
For his part, Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said Parliament was not independent from the executive arm of government, hence its budget was decided by the executive.
He also expressed concern over the legislative duty of parliamentarians, saying they were not given enough time to consult on bills brought before Parliament.
He argued that it compromised the quality of their input.
While Gabane/Mmankgodi MP, Mr Kagiso Mmusi decried the shortage of resources such as stationery at constituency offices.
He said constituency offices should be resourced with vehicles to avert a situation where employees and MPs used their vehicles and fuel to carry office errands.
Mr Mmusi also said there was a need for Parliament to consider building new accommodation for MPs and further requested for an increase of funding for Parliament.
Gaborone Central MP, Mr Tumisang Mangwegape-Healey said salaries paid to constituency office administrators was not enough to lure the right personnel.
He also said there were staff welfare issues for constituency office staff such as non-payment of overtime, saying it should be addressed.
Furthermore, he said Specially Elected MPs should resign from their positions when they crossed the floor and to put their names again for re-election.
Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng proposed over P326 million for Parliament made up of P317 million for the recurrent budget and P9.1 million for the development budget.
The proposal is part of the 2024/25 budget proposal currently before Parliament.
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