02 Mar 2015

Lobatse town councilors have approved the 2015/16 budget.

Presenting the reduced budget before the full council recently acting town clerk, Mr Mbako Masole said financial year budget for 2015/16 was budgeted at P108 751 190. 00 and had been reduced to P107 813 790.00.

Mr Masole said the budget was cut by one per cent as instructed by Ministry of Local Government and Rural development(MLGRD) enacted by Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).

However, he said the budget cut did not affect Lobatse town council only but the MLGRD reduced the ceiling allocated to all councils by the same percentage. “Lobatse town council has been forced to reduce the ceiling by P937, 410.00” he said.

Mr Masole went on to say that, with the reduced budget finance and works proposed to full council to reduce the budget for loan charges only from P 4 180 530 to P3 245 770.00 and assured them that the impact will not disturb the different proposed projects for the town.

He said the initial provision was to cater for loans repayments and settling outstanding loans that have low balances.

For their part, Mr Mosimanekgotla Botanka for Newlook/Maipei said they approve the reduced budget as it is not “debatable”. He said they have to comply, as it is an order from the MFDP and the decision has affected all the council across the country.

Meanwhile, councillors elected BALA delegates whereby Ms Tiny Dinoko was elected as a woman commissioner and Mr Bruno Masisi was elected as a Youth commissioner. Additional members included, Ms Malebogo Kruger, Ms Caroline Lesang, Mr Kabelo Sebako and Mr Khumo. ENDS