UDC shoots down ‘BDP gimmick’

Following President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s rearrangement and reconstitution of ministries, government departments and parastatals, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) says there is nothing to be excited about.

Amongst the notable changes, Masisi announced the Ministry for State President, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Entrepreneurship. Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency and Local Enterprise Authority are to be merged into one entity; Banyana (Pty) Ltd ownership transferred to government; incorporation of the Selebi-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit into Botswana Investment and Trade Centre; Botswana National Productivity Centre and Botswana Public Service College to be merged; Air Botswana to be developed and rejuvenated in collaboration with the private sector, and the establishment of the National Planning Commission under the Office of the President. The President said the policy shifts and changes are to be implemented with immediate effect. He would then announce a reshuffled Cabinet the following day.

“To us at UDC, rearrangement and reconstitution of ministries and government departments will not achieve much. Ministries and parastatals have a specific mandate of implementing government policies.

As we have said before, there is a poverty of ideas and thoughts in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The problem is not how ministries and parastatals are configured, the problem is a clueless and directionless BDP government. So there are no good policies to implement. What is critical in transforming a nation’s life are policies. The rearrangement of ministries and merging of parastatals is as old as this country. It should not excite anyone,” UDC spokesperson, Moeti Mohwasa said. Mohwa- sa said the process has not reduced poverty, unemployment or raised the standard of living. He said with its abundant natural resources, the country is failing to look after its small population. “We should focus on overhauling the structure of our economy and fighting corruption.

There is a need for a paradigm shift and a revolution in our thought patterns as leaders. A thought revolution is urgent. The President has also spoken about privatisation, basically disposing of its shares in certain entities. Government ownership of its current assets and companies is not really a problem.

“The privatisation path will lead to more job losses and further transfer of the economy into the hands of a few. Botswana, as we know, has a skewed distribution of wealth.

Efficiency as we have said before is not a function of ownership but management. Parastatals have collapsed not because they are government-owned but because appointment to their boards and management is based on BDP membership but not merit. Privatisation is therefore not a solution.

“Even though the role of the private sector is important and acknowledged, the government also has a role to play in the economy. This is just the usual BDP gimmick. Batswana should not be deluded into believing that this latest stunt will transform their lives,” he said.

“We should focus on overhauling the structure of our economy and fighting corruption. There is a need for a paradigm shift and a revolution in our thought patterns

as leaders.