15 Mar 2016

Gaborone City Council (GCC) Councilors approved this year’s more than P350 million budget allocated to GCC.

Presenting the GCC 2016/17 budget Synopsis to GCC Special Full Council, Chairman of the Finance Committee Cllr Sesupo Jacobs said the current needs of the community are still not going to be met adequately through this budget.

Cllr Sesupo said the emerging challenges put more pressure on the council’s limited resources and priority areas although catered for will not be to the level of their expectation.

He said expectation of turning Gaborone into a Diamond City needs to be met as they hope for economic returns in the form of employment, business expansion and cultural advancement due to globalization.

Cllr Sesupo noted that their pledge is to explore measures and avenues for expansion of revenue base and an improved communication and consultation with all stakeholders.

He called for prudent financial management of meager resources, collaboration and integration of the council plans for efficiency and effective service delivery.

On the other hand, he called on fellow councilors to step up collection of revenue in the form of arrears such as those of service levy and property rates.

He said in mitigation, councilors have to embark on improved project management and accountability and extend the outsourcing initiatives on collection and management of waste with reference to adherence to budget priorities by presenting quarterly reviews.

Cllr Sesupo said GCC is facing challenges of poor upkeep of the city environment (vegetation) and stray animals roaming the streets including continuous maintenance backlog coupled with vandalism on street and traffic lights.

The other challenge, he said, is the high rise in utility bills especially at schools, council facilities and the deteriorating state of Council fleet and plant.

He said priority areas will be on maintenance of staff housing, school infrastructure, street lighting, traffic lights, relief of destitute persons, waste management, vegetation control and maintenance of council fleet. Ends