02 Feb 2017

Though they approved the estimated 2017/2018 proposed budget, North East District councillors showed concern towards the priority given to the maintenance of internal roads in their district.

During the special full council meeting held on January 31, Makaleng ward councillor, Mr Mothusi Nakedi stated that due to the continuous heavy rains in the district, most of the internal roads in various villages have been affected and left in a bad state, making it their main concern and therefore they should have been given first priority when allocating funds.

He also stated that even though these rains started recently, internal roads have always been their main concern; noting that as a result, some activities such as installation of streetlights should have been excluded in the budget to cater more for the maintenance of internal roads.

For his part, Mr Mbaakanyi Smart of Mosojane ward also stated that the likes of Mambo/Masingwaneng road, Pole/ Mulambakwena, Masukwane/Mosojane and others needed to be considered.  He said it is long overdue since they spoke and reported on their bad condition.

Masunga ward councillor Mr Ellias Mbonini also indicated that councils spend more money on caring for matimela livestock and their feeds but they are not making any profit out of them therefore they should rather be put under the care of Ministry of Agriculture or Tribal Administration.

When addressing the first council meeting of the year, the finance committee chairperson, councillor Dumani Kelepi stated that the overall estimated budget for North East District Council for the year 2017/2018 is P158.2 million  which is an increase of 18 per cent from the previous budget.BOPA