25 Nov 2020

Chobe district council chairperson, Mr Amos Mabuku says government has reinstated the council’s grant by slightly over P3 million following the February budget cut.

Addressing the ongoing full council meeting on Tuesday, councillor Mabuku explained that initially the council’s original proposed budget was cut by 3.71 per cent and government had since reinstated the grant by P3m.

He said the reinstatement amount was apportioned to gratuities, lighting, gas and water, domestic requisites, bank charges, civic entertainment, maintenance of office furniture and equipment and repairs of vehicles amongst others.

Mr Mabuku expressed hope that the reinstatement would go a long way in resolving some of the service delivery backlogs.

He implored councillors to help broaden the council’s revenue base by identifying new sources of revenue, intensifying revenue collection and encouraging residents to pay their service levy debts. 

The council chairperson noted that currently council was owed P16 162 in service levy, adding that raising revenue was critical for financing recurrent obligations.

On other issues, Mr Mabuku applauded the government for uplifting the partial suspension of Ipelegeng programme. 

He noted that following resumption of the programme in September, Chobe district had engaged a total of 746 beneficiaries compared to 206 previously.

He explained that of the 746 beneficiaries, 206 were engaged specifically to help with cleanliness in the 12 public schools within the district while the rest were distributed among different pressing public works.

Regarding the new Kazungula primary school, Mr Mabuku said the contractor’s representative had communicated that they would be in the country at  the end of the month to commence implementation of the project. 

He said the project had been delayed by  outbreak of COVID-19. 

He noted that the facility would not only offer better physical infrastructure but would also add to the development of the local economy through the creation of the much needed jobs for locals during and post construction phase.

Still on developments, Mr Mabuku said Kasane mini stadium  project was currently at evaluation stage for the design of the sewer line and irrigation system and the tenders for the construction would be floated after the completion of surveys and production of structural drawings.

Mr Mabuku informed the meeting that due to COVID-19,  no cultural activities had been held this financial year and a total of 185 individuals and 19 COSBOTS affiliates had benefited from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development (MYSC) relief fund under the Arts category.

He added that a total of P327 500 was paid out.

Still on issues related to COVID-19, he noted that last month two learners at Plateau Primary school tested positive leading to the isolation of their classmates. 

He however, said the classmates subsequently tested negative.

In Kazungula, he said two learners wrote the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) while in isolation as they were close contacts but tested negative. 

Councillor Mabuku encouraged the councillors to talk to their constituents about the importance of taking care of their children during this era of COVID-19. Ends