Where's the money, BDP asks

The opposition Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has called on Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe to account for the money promised to Batswana by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government when he delivers the Budget speech on Monday.As Gaolathe prepares for his second budget presentation, the country’s fiscal outlook remains strained. Economic recovery has been slow, and critics warn that without urgent reforms, the future looks bleak.BDP Secretary General Kentse Rammidi said it would be a “big disservice” if the minister failed to report back on past promises before making new commitments.“Customarily, you expect one to report back on the previous assignment before undertaking a new one. In 2024, UDC made several promises. Last year, the Minister presented a budget with set milestones, which we expect feedback on,” Rammidi said.He singled out agriculture as a critical area where government support has declined. “From independence to date, Agriculture has been a priority with programmes such as LIMID, ARAP, ISPAAD and others.The new government has reduced agricultural support, as seen in the one-hectare ploughing limit. Under the former government, Temo Letlotlo provided four hectares,” he noted.Rammidi lamented that confidence in the government is eroding, citing unfulfilled pledges such as a P4,000 minimum wage, P300 maternity care allowance, and P2,500 for Ipelegeng workers.“The status of public income generation was known even when the UDC government made its promises. They deliberately took advantage of Batswana’s plight,” he argued.The BDP insists that the upcoming budget must prioritise health, education, and agriculture. “Anything else must be secondary,” Rammidi said.He further criticised the government’s spending priorities, pointing to the constitutional amendment process through the ConCourt.“Where is the money for this court going to come from when there is a shortage of funds for service providers and even government employees? Where will the money for the Court come from when we don’t have enough medicines?” he asked.

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Where's the money, BDP asks