1. Citation
This Order may be cited as the Public Finance Management (Covid-19 Pandemic (Corona Virus) Relief Fund) Order, 2020.
2. Interpretation
In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires —"Accounting Officer" means the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for finance appointed under paragraph 5;"Committee" means a Management Committee appointed under papragraph 6; and"Fund" means the COVID-19 Pandemic (Corona Virus) Relief Fund, established under paragraph 3.
3. Establishment of Fund
There is hereby established a special Fund, to be known as COVID-19 Pandemic (Corona Virus) Relief Fund, (hereinafter referred to as "the Fund").
4. Purpose of Fund
The purpose of the Fund is to respond to the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through provision of relief funding for the control, prevention and treatment of the disease and the after effect.
5. Administration of Fund
(1)The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for finance (hereinafter referred to as "the Accounting Officer") shall be the public officer responsible for the administration of the Fund.(2)The Accounting Officer may exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be required to be exercised or performed for the proper discharge of his or her functions under this Order.(3)the Accounting Officer may, in writing, authorise any other public officer to exercise or perform all or any of the duties required of the Accounting Officer.
6. Management of Fund
(1)The Minister responsible for finance shall, after consultation with the Accounting Officer, appoint a Management Committee for the Fund.(2)The Committee shall be responsible for —(a)overseeing the administration and management of the Fund;(b)advising the Accounting Officer on the matter related;(c)determine the disbursement procedures of the Fund in accordance with the Act;(d)review and approve audited financial statements of the Fund;(e)make reommendations to the Accounting Officer responsble for finance on any changes or amendments in the Fund Order for subsequent approval by the Minister; and(f)any othe rduties as amy be approved by the Accounting Officer.(3)The Committee appointed under subparagraph (1) shall consist of —(a)the Secretary for Development and Budget from the Ministry responsible for finance and economic development, who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee;(b)a representative from the Ministry responsible for finance and economic development, who shall provide secretariat services to the committee;(c)a representative from the Ministry responsible for health and wellness;(d)a representative from Ministry responsible for international affairs cooperation;(e)a representative from the Ministry responsible for local government and rural development;(f)a representative from the Ministry responsible for investment, trade and industry;(g)a representative from Ministry responsible for environment, natural resources, conservation and tourism;(h)a representative from the Ministry responsible for agricultural development and food security; and(i)a representative from the Ministry responsible for presidential affairs, governance and public administration.(4)The members of the Committee shall be appointed for a period of the pandemic or a maximum of three years, whichever comes first.
7. Receipts into Fund
There shall be paid into the Fund —(a)such monies as may from time to time be appropriated by the National Assembly for the purposes of the Fund;(b)grants or donations from any person or organisation as the Minister responsible for finance may approve; and(c)any other source as the Minister responsible for finance may approve.
8. Disbursements from Fund
There shall be paid from the Fund monies required for —(a)the procurement of national relief supplies;(b)the security of major national resources;(c)the evacuation cost for citizens outside Botswana;(d)the national publicity outreach programs;(e)the relief of selected industries or sectors;(f)public counselling centers or facilities;(g)additional staff to support health professionals; and(h)economic stimulus package post COVID-19 Pandemic.
9. Surplus in Fund
(1)If the Fund is in surplus at the end of a financial year, such surplus shall remain as part of Fund balance and be carried forward to the next financial year.(2)Any monies accruing to the Fund which is not required for immediate use shall be invested in accordance with the objectives of the Fund as the Accounting-General may direct.
10. Accounts of Fund
The Accounting Officer shall-(a)keep and maintain or cause to be kept and maintained, proper books of accounts and records all financial transactions, assets and liabilities of the Fund in respect of each financial year.(b)maintain an account into which all receipts into the Fund and all disbursements from the Fund shall be recorded and the monthly reconciliation for the Fund accounts shall be carried out; and(c)prepare, sign and transmit to Accountant General and Auditor-General a statement of income and expenditure and a balance sheet of the Fund in respect of the financial year, containing such information in the manner that the Minister in consultation with Accountant-General may direct, within a period of two months after the close of each financial year.Dr. Thapelo Matsheka,Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
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