11 Feb 2013

North East district councillors have approved the council’s 2013/2014 budget proposal of over P119 million.

The councillors adopted the budget during a special full council meeting held in Masunga on February 7.

When delivering the report,  finance committee chairperson, Mr Damien Thapa said the council was still faced with financial difficulties, hence urging councillors and officers to exercise prudence when using funds.

He said the overall budget for the 2013/2014 financial year stood at P119 565 460.00, with an increase of P522 160.00 from the 2012/2013 budget allocation.

Of the total amount, P112 558 970.00 was from government’s revenue support grant while P7 006 490 wouldl come from the council’s own revenue sources.

Councilor Thapa said owing to the slight increase, many council departments had to make budget cuts as most votes had either been reduced or remained stagnant.

He further reminded staff to start budgeting as well as coming up with annual plans to avoid last quarter rush, where departments spent funds for the sake of spending with no well-thought out plans.

He said planning ahead would help them manage the little they had since they would spend according to their plans. He also cautioned against over-expenditure.

Mr Thapa also briefed councillors about the proposed projects to be undertaken by the council which would require a lot of funds, noting that the proposed projects included a temporary fuel station at Tati Siding, construction of a security wall at the council workshop and extension of district landfill as well as replacement of unserviceable vehicles.

He said the council did not have enough sources of revenue since its main sources which used to be water department and clinics were no longer under their control.

For his part, council chairperson, Mr City Kealotswe urged fellow councillors to be honest in informing their communities that the country was still grappling with the issue of shortage of funds. He encouraged the officers and councillors to give first priority to important activities in the district.

Nominated councillor, Ms Ndinani Makhulela appreciated the idea of constructing a temporary fuel station at Tati Siding, saying it will cut the cost of travelling. ENDS