22 Mar 2017

Southern District Council chairperson has called for belt-tightening measures, saying the 22 per cent growth from the 2016/17 budget could not cushion deficit envisaged on a number of votes.

Councillor Alec Seametso said in his opening speech to mark the commencement of a week-long council session that the 2017/18 budget indicated an increase of P64 787 420, which translated into a 22 per cent rise.

“The district proposed an amount of P365 817 100 as a budget for the financial year 2017/18. The total proposed budget included a total income generated from own source at the tune of P13 693 730 and revenue support grant of P352 123 370,” he told the council.

On roads, council chairperson declared recent heavy rains have dealt a serious blow to roads throughout the district.

He said in particular, Moshupa village, where two bridges collapsed was the hardest hit.

Mr Seametso said however that measures to remedy the situation by pothole patching, unblocking of drainage structures and road sweeping have since been undertaken.

“This is an overwhelming challenge to which the council has not managed to address completely,” he said.

To this end, council chairperson stated council had submitted a request for funds amounting to P158 565 000 to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development towards road maintenance works.

The full council learnt also that the district had been given a sum of P1 346 121 towards procurement of agricultural produce.

Currently, according to Mr Seametso, an amount of P44 446 has been spent in procuring produce from 40 farmers.

He said items procured included maize, water melon and sweet reed.

Meanwhile, councillor Seametso expressed displeasure that only P430 875 out of P1 120 000 allotted towards handyman programme for financial year 2016/17 had been used.

He therefore appealed to councillors and Ministry of Education and Skills Development officials to join hands and ensure full utilisation of the funds.

Still on schools, councillor Seametso told the house that effective April, local authorities would be procuring decentralised food items for schools.

Southern District Council, he said, was working hand in hand with Food Relief Services to ensure smooth transition. ENDS