28 Aug 2018

Tutume Sub-district Council chairperson, Councillor Ishmael Mokgethi has commended the government for creating employment and establishing assistant community officers’ extension posts nationwide.

Addressing the official opening of sub full council session in Tutume on August 27, Mr Mokgethi said government had intensified its efforts of improving communication and service provision between members of the community and all government offices across the country.

He noted that 431 posts had been created to absorb unemployed graduates, revealing that 28 had been allocated to Tutume Sub-district, which covers Nata/Gweta, Nkange and Shashe West constituencies.

He stated that the officers, who are expected to resume duty next month, would be based in the main kgotla offices across the constituencies.

Mr Mokgethi said the officers would act as first points of contact for all government services, respond to customers’ concerns or complaints while seeking appropriate measures on behalf of the community.

“We intend to orientate them on all government services so that they will be fully equipped to serve the communities,” he said.

 He said this was a commendable initiative as it did not only reduce unemployment among graduates, but also benefits members of the public, adding that turnaround times on public concerns will be greatly improved.

This arrangement, he said was going to reduce complaints from the public that they are sometimes forced to travel long distances at high cost, to get services despite government having long promised to bring services closer to them.

He therefore urged fellow councillors to inform the public about the arrangement and help in facilitating proper accommodation at respective kgotla offices.

On other issues, Mr Mokgethi informed the house that the sub-council was operating with a recurrent budget of over P125 million for the 2018/19 financial year.

So far he said they had received a revenue support grant of over P60 million, with total expenditure, as at the end of July, standing at P35 million, which is 27 per cent of the budget.

He said the expenditure was in line with the procurement plan, adding that the sub council shall continue to monitor its budget for prudent financial management.

Regarding income generation by the sub council, he noted that they had only collected almost P600 000 from their own sources, against a total annual budget of over P3 million, which translates to a collection rate of 16 per cent, which is below their target of 25 per cent.

He however, said they are working on better strategies to improve the collection rate. ENDS