28 Aug 2019

Serowe Sub-council chairperson Mr Mpho Kooreme says the council  has achieved much of their set targets despite human resource and finance challenges.

During his address on the state of the sub-district in Serowe on August 26, Mr Kooreme said the provision of basic infrastructure had been undertaken among them additional classrooms for schools, teachers’ houses as well as paved roads.

He said they had been able to reach the majority of the disadvantaged members of the community through the provision of social safety nets thus enhancing their wellbeing as well as their dignity.

Mr Kooreme pointed out that the decentralisation of waste management continued to bear fruits as they were able to satisfactory deal with waste and at the same time empowering the locals.

He said environmental care was also supported through the Ipelegeng program which also cushions economic hardships to many of the constituents.

Mr Kooreme said some of the developments which were achieved would have been impossible without the cordial relations and mutual understanding with their partners and stakeholders.

He, however, said  it was important to recognise and celebrate the partnership and inter-governmental relations that the council has with them.

He said progress had been made even though in some instances they were hampered by resource scarcity particularly finance and human resource.

Mr Kooreme stated that the recurrent budget had proportionally decreased as compared to 2018/19 financial year due to among others, the increase in salaries and allowances, increased numbers of needy students and terminal benefits of councillors which had not been specially provided for. 

The terminal benefits had to be catered for under normal recurrent budget provision.

He said they had anticipated a cash flow problem created by 2018/ 19 deficit of over P18 million.

Mr Kooreme further said Serowe Administration Authority (SAA) awarded contracts for refuse collection and cleaning of Serowe mall and refuse collection in 424 institutional houses and 26 council institutions.

He noted that the scope for the tender was reduced by half from the previous year due to budgetary constraints.

Mr Kooreme said tenders for financial year 2019/20 had been awarded and contracts signed except for stationery and cleaning materials. 

He, however, said that it is expected that the tenders awarded by end of August to enable procurement and distribution to all primary schools.

He said SAA roads division had a total number of 23 constituency projects planned for implementation during the  2018/19 financial year, of which 17 were 100 per cent complete while seven which were mainly culverts construction were at an advanced stage award. 

He said the projects had created employment for approximately 200 people within SAA.

He further said projects that were implemented through 2017/18 contingency funds were complete except the paving of Mmashoro access road which was progressing well and had been planned to be completed in August this year.

Mr Kooreme said road maintenance works had been undertaken and concentration was given on Serowe/Palapye and Serowe/ Mosolotshane roads which had exceeded their life span hence developing multiple potholes. Ends