Parliament approves P326m for its use
Parliament has sanctioned a budget totalling P326.3 million for its 20242025 Recurrent and Development Budgets.
Presenting the request, Minister of State President Kabo Morwaeng explained that the Development budget request for the National Assembly for the fiscal year 2024/ 2025 is P9, 119, 535, which is lower than the previous year’s budget of P12, 800, 000 by 29 percent.
This allocation will be distributed as follows; P1, 000, 000 for the continuation of the Botswana Speaks programme, aimed at upgrading associated applications, equipment, and enhancing publicity for the platform.
An amount of P3 million for the refurbishment and restoration of Parliament Buildings, P1 million for the Computerisation Project, covering the Parliament Intranet and Institutional Repository, and P1,100, 000 for the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi Chamber project and its associated facilities, including design works. The Live Broadcasting project is allocated P1. 5 million, encompassing state- of- the- art studio lights and production equipment in the two chambers and P1. 3 million for the Organisational Structure project, while P219, 535 has been set aside for the Security project.
Morwaeng said the budget is primarily centred around the arrangements for the dissolution of the 12th Parliament and the preparations to welcome Members of the 13th Parliament. These endeavours will demand significant resources, both in terms of funding and human capital.
The total budget estimate for the 2024/ 2025 Financial Year stands at P326, 286, 855, comprising P317, 167, 320 for the Recurrent Budget and P9, 119, 535 for the Development Budget.
Morwaeng explained that for the 2024/ 2025 financial year, operating costs will constitute the majority, amounting to P178, 405, 000, which is 56.25 percent, compared to the previous financial year where the bulk of the allocation was for personnel emoluments. The remaining 43.75 percent of the budget, totalling P138,762, 320, is allocated for Personnel Emoluments.
The larger portion of the proposed budget, amounting to P303 million or 96 percent, is allocated to the National Assembly, while the remaining P14. 2 million or four percent is designated for Ntlo Ya Dikgosi in the 2024/ 2025 Development budget.
Several Parliamentary Committees conducted benchmarking visits to Parliaments in Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, and Uganda. Additionally, Parliament actively participated in various inter- parliamentary meetings, including those of the InterParliamentary Union ( IPU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association ( CPA), Southern African Development Community ( SADC) Parliamentary Forum, Pan African Parliament ( PAP), African Caribbean Pacific European Union ( ACP- EU), and Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees ( SADCOPAC).
These engagements facilitated the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and information regarding Parliamentary Practices and Processes and through these collaborative efforts, Parliament continues to bolster parliamentary democracy and enhance its capacity to fulfil its mandate effectively and efficiently. Morwaeng said the existing partnerships with organisations such as the International Conservation Caucus Foundation ( ICCF), International Organisation for Migration ( IOM), African Group of Negotiators Experts Support ( AGNES), United Nations Children’s Fund ( UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme ( UNDP), European Union ( EU), and inter- parliamentary organisations remain instrumental in enhancing the capacity of Members of Parliament, Members of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, and staff.
Notably, the Parliament of Botswana collaborated with these development partners on a workshop held from October 30th to November 3rd, 2023, in Gaborone, focusing on improving capacity and knowledge in areas such as Climate Change, Migration, Human Trafficking, and Children’s Rights.
Regarding the mechanisms that enable Parliament to effectively fulfil its functions, it is essential to bolster its capacity hence Parliament Administration continues to forge partnerships with like- minded institutions through workshops, seminars, and benchmarking activities.
Morwaeng noted that Parliament actively participated in the ZIMZAMBOTS Staff Seminar, hosted by the Parliament of Zimbabwe in August 2023. This seminar, attended by over 200 senior staff members from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, saw the representation of more than 30 senior staff members from various departments of the Parliament of Botswana.
Traditionally held in a town near the convergence point of the three countries along the Zambezi River Frontage, the seminar rotates its location annually. “ZIMZAMBOTS Seminar will be hosted by Parliament of Botswana in Kasane on a date to be determined”, he said
Despite facing challenges stemming from limited resources, the Parliament continued to fulfil its role in Botswana’s governance processes. It is therefore crucial that adequate resources are allocated to the supreme oversight institution, Parliament, enabling it to effectively monitor the implementation of government programs and projects.
In an endeavour to enhance the quality of parliamentary oversight, the Parliament of Botswana introduced the Community Score Card public engagement tool. This initiative facilitates a platform for the involvement of beneficiaries of development programmes and policies, service providers, and Members of Parliament in reviewing and monitoring the implementation of National Development Plan projects and programmes, as well as general service delivery.
During the preceding year, Morwaeng said Parliament fulfilled its oversight mandate primarily through the committee system, parliamentary motions, and questions in accordance with the Parliamentary Standing Orders. “In my last five appearances before the Committee of Supply, I reported that six Portfolio Committees had piloted the Community Score Card tool, with plans for its full implementation across all committees by October 2023.”
He said with regards to condition of service of staff, there is an ongoing project to review the Organisational Structure of the administration of Parliament with a view to enhance its capacity in terms of requisite knowledge, skills, numbers as well as other related conditions of service.
The project is at tendering stage and is expected to be completed during the coming Financial Year.