In 100 days in office, the government has paid debts to tendered entrepreneurs, and village health workers and met with donors for the benefit of the country as some of the promises made to Basotho.
This, the Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane said during the ministers’ reports at the event held at Manthabiseng Convention Center in Maseru on Tuesday.
Mr. Matekane said the government is already fighting crime as one of the promises that the newly elected government made, saying some of the challenges are still behind as they need intensive investigation.
“Publish and implement crime control programme, that is still in progress,” he said.
Mr. Matekane said emergency responsive decisions were taken to respond to crime incidences such as stock theft, robbery and murder, adding that visible personnel of army and police officers in communities has been evident in this regard.
Moreover, the PM noted that performance based contracts for the Prime Minister, Ministers and public servants are ready and will be executed immediately after the budget has been implemented.
“Performance contracts for the Prime Minister and Minister publicised has been done,” he said.
He said following the royal ascent to the Appropriation Bill 2023, ministers’ performance contracts are currently being aligned to the budget implementation plan and then will be published.
The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Justice, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Justice Nthomeng Majara said in their attempt to fight corruption, during this year’s financial budget, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offenses (DCEO) has been allocated M50 million which is the double of the amount they have been receiving in previous years.
Justice Majara said the drafting of the National Security Services policy that would ensure the smooth administration of reform has been completed.
On the same note, the Health Minister, Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane said community or village health workers have been paid their outstanding salaries and will now be paid on monthly basis, adding that a total of M93 million has already been used to pay all ministries’ debts by government.
“This is a major milestone target set by PM when taking the oath of office,” Mr. Mochoboroane said.
On the same token, the Minister of Education and Training (MoET), Prof. Ntoi Rapapa said M93 million has been used by his ministry to pay tendered individuals who the ministry in regard to feeding schemes.
Prof. Rapapa said during the 100 days in office, his ministry has achieved to build 14 government schools.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI), Ms, Nthati Moorosi said at least 106 radio presenters will be enrolled on a six months training that is meant to enhance their knowledge of media and also be awarded accredited qualifications.
Ms. Moorosi said even though MICSTI did not appear on PM’s target list, training media personnel in partnership with LCA and in line with the Broadcasting Code of 2022 is a major step.
When speaking about ICT matters, she said there is a huge gap between ICT and science but they are now trying to bridge this gap, get indicators and attract investors.
Moreover, she noted that Radio Lesotho and Ultimate Radio will soon launch a toll-free number for the nation to access speedy service delivery.
In conclusion, she urged the nation to go and register their sim cards.
Tabling 100 days process, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane said so far the ministry has been able to establish information regarding the where about of the M3.5 billion that was part of 6.1 billion which was reported missing by the Auditor General.
Dr Matlanyane said the M6.1 billion is cumulative as it dates back to previous reports showing that there have been some monies withdrawn from the bank but not recorded in government books.
She further said M3.5 billion has been established what it has done and there is proof of receipts that correspond with information accumulated, stressing that what happened is that the money was withdrawn from the bank yet not recorded in government books.
This was the 100 days report of the government’s achievements since it was elected in the 2022 general elections.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Lesotho.
