The Minister for Defence Justice and Security, Ramadeluka Seretse (pictured) has requested P1.16 billion for the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) for the seven-year duration of the National Development Plan 10. The money is meant for development only and excludes recurrent expenditure. This means that every year, the DIS will get an average of P220 million. The NDP 10 starts this year until 2016.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday during the debate for the NDP 10 budget allocation for his ministry, Seretse requested another P2.77 billion for the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), P1.76 billion for the Botswana Police, P80 million for the Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), P22.7 million for the Attorney General’s (AG) Chambers and P742 million for the Department of Administration of Justice. A further P710 million will be used for other development projects within the Department of Administration of Justice. The total development budget requested by Seretse for the ministry in NDP 10 is P7.1 billion.
In a presentation that included a review of the NDP 9 projects, the minister said the DIS needs the funds to continue its development from the last financial year. “During NDP 9, the Directorate was allocated a total of P193, which was used to kick start projects that were fundamental to the establishment of the DIS.
The major part of the allocated funds in this development plan was used in the acquisition of offices and staff housing, acquisition of vehicles and part-payments toward projects aimed at enhancing capacity in surveillance and investigation environment,” Seretse said.
He stated that intelligence gathering has evolved to high-tech surveillance platforms. “The DIS cannot afford to ignore the technological developments…,” he said and urged Parliament to approve the application.
The Botswana Police Service development budget will cover new projects such as the construction of police facilities in a number of villages as well as the building of a national forensic laboratory.
Other police stations will be upgraded. The police will spend about P190 million on expanding its fleet as well as making the final payment for the Air Support Project.
Seretse said BDF requires funds to cover infrastructure, air assets, vehicles, defence equipment and printing and electronic equipment.
The DCEC will utilise its allocation to open additional offices in Palapye and in establishing the north and southern divisions. Seretse said the AG will spend P22 million on consultants to among others establish the envisaged Legal Aid Scheme.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) offices in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun Palaye and Lobatse will be expanded at a cost of P244 million.
Mmegi Online
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