PAC questions exclusion of MPs in NDP11
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday May 24, 2016 11:04
The MP for Tati East, Samson Moyo Guma asked the accounting officer for Local Government and Rural Development, Molefhi Keaja if indeed his ministry had advised District Commissioners (DC) to involve MPs when consulting with people at the districts.
“When do you involve MPs during consultation on NDP11? Has your ministry given a directive to that effect?” Guma asked.
Keaja said he thought that is a prerequisite for every DC to invite or involve the MP in their area.
“For example, at the Central District Council (CDC) they invited their MPs during the consultation on NDP 11. It’s only that those MPs were held up. We do encourage them to always engage MPs,” Keaja said. Guma demanded to know why it is not happening while Parliament is the one which approves NDP 11 at the end. Keaja assured the members of PAC that since consultation on NDP11 is still ongoing, he would ensure that MPs are involved.
Keaja further said his ministry had been given P315 million for the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) for the 2016/17 backlog eradication.
“The money will be used for the backlog of classroom shortage, three village infrastructural projects, shortage of teachers accommodation and 30 customary courts,” he said. He said some projects for the 2015/2016 are still ongoing while others are at various stages. For example, 12 councils out of 16 are at the tendering stage while four are at various stages.
Meanwhile PAC members asked Keaja if his ministry has any intention to come up with a policy to regulate council chairmen, mayors and council secretaries on the kind of cars they should buy for official use.
“Some council secretaries, mayors and chairmen buy very expensive luxurious cars with taxpayers’ money. Is your Ministry intending to regulate how the councils should buy cars/vehicles,” Guma asked.
Keaja told PAC members that his ministry has since developed a policy and councils are required to have the same standard cars or vehicles.