The Botswana Parliament website launched on Tuesday is expected to be used to brand the National Assembly.

Launching the website, former Education Minister and Serowe South Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Gaositwe Chiepe said it will also assist Parliament to communicate better and serve its stakeholders more effectively. She said Parliament treats its public image with care, hence it had to delay the launch to ensure that whatever appeared on the website was accurate and factual.

"Today websites are the face of organisations because your website can speak for you when you cannot, " she said. "The websites are dynamic and interactive in that people will be able to log in to the Hansard, Order Paper, Bills, Motions, Questions and papers tabled in Parliament.

"This will enable people to follow the debate in the chamber. The standing order, committee membership and members' CVs are also part of the information that will be found on the website."

The former cabinet member said the intention was to put all the information on the website to inform the public of services that Parliament renders its members, including the Speaker of the House.

She said it was Parliament's intention to finally link up with constituency offices to keep people in touch. This, she said, would make constituency offices a miniature of Parliament where people may access information at the touch of the button.

"Parliament believes in the acquisition and utilisation of ICT as a means to facilitate the implementation of e-governance, which aims to make all appropriate government information and services accessible electronically," Chiepe said.

"ICT usage can create an enabling environment for e-democracy which will facilitate a two-way communication with the public to transform citizens from passive participation to active participation in the legislative processes."

Maun West MP Ronald Ridge said every effort should be made to ensure that sufficient levels of awareness, understanding and knowledge about Parliament were achieved. Ridge said information was of vital importance to good governance. The MP said Parliament was currently engaged in an intensive public education drive.

"This is because we have realised that a majority of Batswana are not adequately informed on Parliament and its functions," he said. "The website will therefore enable efficient and timely communication and information dissemination. The delivery of services by Parliament to the public and other stakeholders will be enhanced through the development and implementation of electronic service delivery (ESD).

The website can be accessed by logging onto www.parliament.gov.bw.