11 Mar 2014

Parliament has adopted the of Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development budget proposal for the financial year 2014/15.

Earlier on when responding to MPs who discussed the ministry’s budget estimates for 2014/15, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele said his ministry had established 17 sub-districts and four administrative authorities for the purpose of decentralisation of services.

He said most works of the ministry were administered by the sub-districts. “We have decentralised and devolved powers to the local authorities," he said. He said the ministry was working to improve challenges faced by poor sanitation at primary schools and shortage of classrooms.

He said in the proposed budget of 2014/15 P220m was to be spared for the refurbishment of such amenities. Mr Siele further said he noted that MPs were concerned about malfunctioning streetlights.

He said the ministry was aware about the conditions of service of headmen and headmen of arbitration which he said would improve under the proposed budget of 2014/15.

Minsiter for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi had called on the minister to address grievances of headmen and headmen of arbitration as they played an important role in the administration.

He said he was more concerned about their conditions of service, the resources, furniture and telecommunication equipment. Mr Masisi asked the minister to provide further guidance and counselling to the dikgosi not to engage in partisan politics.

“As we migrate to general elections, I would like to urge you that close attention be paid to these and guidance be given timeously,” he said. He further called for the improvement of sanitation, adding that it was a major problem in the country especially in public facilities or anywhere people gather such as the kgotla.

He further called for the increment of Village Development Committee, World War II Veterans, Home Based Care and Pensioners allowances. ENDS