Councillors decry low budget

Pini Bothoko | Friday January 16, 2015 15:11

The civic leaders said this commenting to the budget speech presented by Finance Committee chairperson James Kgalajwe during the special full council meeting yesterday.

They felt that Francistown is not in any state to be called the second city since it is failing to attract investors.

They complained about, amongst other things, the bad state of the roads, sewage system and the long awaited storm water master plan, which they said were taking too long.

Councillors said that Francistowners are unhappy with the elected officials accusing them of failing to push for developments. Nominated councillor,  Zazambi Tuelo, encouraged colleagues to advice people at ward level to pay a service levy in order to raise money for council because the budget is not enough.

He encouraged his colleagues to explain to people how important it is for them to pay council debts.

But, said the youthful councillor, the municipality should not take away services from the people, as the idea is not to punish them but to do things in their best interest.

Phillip Matante East councillor Shadreck Nyeku proposed that Francistown councillors should visit Parliament to speak to the problems of the city directly to legislators and plead for financial assistance.

He pleaded with councillors for support saying it could be the solution to their problems because for a long time now, they have had to deal with a budget shortfall. He said that since 2008, there has not been any development budget resulting in a many of the major projects being deferred. He said that is a disgrace some residents still have to use pit latrines.

Itekeng ward councillor Lesego Kwambala advised the city council to engage the private sector to seek financial assistance.

Kgalajwe had told the civic leaders that the total budget for this year was P180, 734,150 and that they would not be able to collect the P43, 177,42 income. He said only P14, 805,392 was collected for the rates and other services, and this would impact negatively on this year’s expenditure, which stands at P117, 322,003.

He however assured councillors that new measures were in place to improve the situation in 2015/16.

Kgalajwe said the Francistown City Council plans to form a company that will solicit investment opportunities. Also, banks and law firms will be used for rates collection.

He said the country is still recovering from the recession and government therefore does not have enough money.

Kgalajwe said in the coming financial year, the council expects to collect P41, 696,430 from rates, service levy, staff housing rentals, trade licensing and lease rentals.