As is the norm, before a Bill becomes law, it has to pass through various stages of consultations with stakeholders so they can contribute to, and make meaningful additions towards the Bill, before it is finalized and taken to the approval stage. In this context, The Local Government Bill, is currently in the consultation stage and is no exception to procedure.
The Local Government Bill intends to, consolidate the District Councils Act (CAP 40:01) and the Townships Act (CAP 40:02) into one Local Government Act that governs LAs regardless of whether, they are in a rural or urban locality. The Bill was recently discussed at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi for their input and suggestions.
During his presentation of the Bill at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi Hon. Mokalake said “Dikgosi play a pivotal role in local governance and the fact that the Bill touches on issues of, culture and tribal properties, government deemed it prudent that it be referred to this Honorable House, in accordance with the provision Section 88(2) of the constitution.”
Giving a brief background of the origins of the Bill, the Minister told the House that the Bill came about after country wide public consultations through a Presidential Commission in 2001. The Commission was mandated to review the effectiveness of the structure, organization, roles and responsibilities of Local Government institutions in Botswana.
Furthermore Hon. Mokalake availed that “there are some inherent weaknesses and barriers for effective service delivery in the legal framework of the Councils.” This was said referring to the Commissions finding, that through Councils, government can give meaning to effective service delivery and good governance whilst at the same time securing full participation of local communities. Therefore, strengthening them would stimulate ownership, accountability and responsibility of councils in discharging their mandate.
The Minister concluded by going through some of the clauses of the Bill and interpreted some of the terminology used in the Bill. He appealed Members for suggestions to improve the Bill, in the hope that in the end through the same document, better service delivery and local governance can be achieved for the citizenry at large. Consultations are continuing with different stakeholders with the next presentation of the Bill slotted for July’s Parliament sitting, where members of parliament will seize the opportunity to also contribute to the Bill.