Govt acknowledges need for disaster management law

Cabinet has taken a decision to promulgate the disaster management legislation to guide the country’s response during emergencies. President Mokgweetsi Masisi says key lessons from the devastating effects of the COVID- 19 pandemic are that the country needs to be more resolute and resilient in preparing for uncertainties. Masisi said Government is alive to the fact that COVID- 19 aggravated the afflictions of poverty, inequalities and unemployment. “We know that the most affected people are the youth,” he added. Masisi was addressing the nation this week during State of the Nation Address. “You did not only demonstrate a spirit of unity in adherence to the COVID- 19 health protocols. You were also intentional and purposeful in taking vaccines, which resulted in Botswana achieving one of the highest COVID- 19 vaccination rates globally. “It is for this reason that the COVID- 19 health protocols have since been relaxed. I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their loved ones during these difficult times,” Masisi said. He also thanked Botswana’s development partners for their continued support in fighting the scourge. Like the rest of the world, Botswana is faced with high fuel and food prices, resulting in the rising cost of living. This is mainly due to the impact of the Russia- Ukraine war, global supply chain constraints and other external factors. Masisi said all these factors have placed an enormous strain on families and the economy. However, Government continues to do all within its power to lessen the pain and there is still a lot more to do. “The alignment of the Government machinery, which is one of the cornerstones of the Reset Agenda has begun,” he said adding that ministries have been reorganised and the rationalisation of some State- Owned Enterprises ( SOEs) is progressing well. This process is part of efforts to streamline Government into an effective and efficient machinery for better delivery of the national development goals. One of the key changes to note according to Masisi is the establishment of a National Planning Commission. The Commission has combined the functions of the National Strategy Office, Vision 2036 Council Secretariat, Government

Implementation Coordination Unit, and the planning function from the then Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The President told the nation that the National Planning Commission will enhance coordination of national planning and implementation, as well as achieve effective monitoring and evaluation of the national development process. He said the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic has exposed Botswana’s vulnerability to socio- economic shocks and has added to the pressure for rapid change if the country is to attenuate current and future challenges. According to the Transitional National Development Plan ( 2023/ 24 – 2024/ 25), it is necessary to improve the infrastructure and use of information communications technology and internet connectivity across the country, including in schools, remote areas and rural villages, in particular; if the country is to start making gains. “Most importantly, the country must improve the competitiveness of goods and services produced for both domestic and external markets, based on the productivity gains that are critical to support long- term growth in incomes and living standards.”