25 Aug 2021

Boteti Sub-council chairman, Mr Molemi Galeragwe has expressed the need for the council to improve revenue generation strategies and execute public private partnerships to generate funds. 

Mr Galeragwe said this on Monday, during Boteti virtual sub-council session held in Letlhakane. He noted revenue generation was still way below projections as shown by the fact the previous financial year was closed with a deficit of P41.8 million, having been financed to the tune of P23.4 million. 

Mr Galeragwe said capital account stood at P3.4 million while drought account was P6 million. He stated that the deficit swelled up from 2013/2014 in the food and accommodation, destitute programme and school utilities votes, affecting the day-to-day running of the council. 

Mr Galeragwe said the 2021/2022 financial year, received over P53 million for quarter one and two. As at July 2021, a total of over P43 million was spent leaving a balance of P10.1 million. 

The quarterly Revenue Support Grant (RSG) from the ministry was divided between financing deficit and current budget, he noted. 

He said the balance could not sustain the council for August and September especially because revenue generation was still below projections. 

Moreover Mr Galeragwe said social welfare protection had been allocated a total of P13.7 million for the financial year 2021/2022. 

The current balance in the destitute programme was however sufficient up to November 2021, requiring an additional P6.5 million to complete the financial year. 

Mr Galeragwe stated that the brigade allowances programme had an enrollment of 257 students each receiving a monthly allowance of P1100. 

He said the current balance would last up to September 2021, requiring an additional P1.7 million to complete the financial year. 

The chairman advised that to contain the financial distress, it was imperative to reassess the programme such that recipients who had improved could be retracted from the programme to ensure programme efficiencies. ENDS