29 Jul 2015

The Palapye Administrative Authority (PAA) has proposed over P122 million for recurrent budget for the 2016/17 financial year.

Speaking during a PAA special council meeting in Palapye, the finance chairperson, Ms Mmaletsatsi Nthobatsang said of the amount, over P107 million would be requested from government while over P4 million would be raised by the PAA.

Ms Nthobatsang said the proposed budget would help them drive the council’s goals and objectives.

She said salaries were increased and that councillors were also increased from 24 to 29 which increased their allowances and salaries.

She noted that the proposed budget was increased by 31 per cent from the previous financial year budget.

Meanwhile, Ms Nthobatsang said they were able to complete some the projects they had planned such as the construction of the Central Transport Unity (CTU) council workshop, bus rank, BIUST access road, 57 disaster houses and seven destitute houses. She said two houses were still under construction.

Councillor Charles Mabjweng of Lecheng proposed that councils should be independent and manage resources without the involvement of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Mr Mabjweng added that  councils should have their own budget. He said the amount of money budgeted for PAA was not enough to complete or run all the projects.

He encouraged other councillors to engage in activities that would generate money for the council to help where there was a need.

Councillor Gabagopole Sebele of Lerala West concurred, and said the PAA was larger than other sub councils. Councillor Sebele said the budget for the PAA should be increased to enable it to run its proposed development plans well. Ends