GCC postpones budget meeting
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday February 20, 2018 13:43
This was after councillors said they do not see the need to approve the budget year in and out while the GCC is delaying to implement some of the projects they had agreed on. The GCC had called a special full council meeting today to discuss and approve the said budget.
“This is yet another time of the year for us to introspect on whether we have implemented some of the projects we had promised people. If not, then we have to know the reason why and find ways in which we can ensure that our intended projects are done before we proceed to our next financial budget,” GCC mayor, Kagiso Thutlwe said.
When commenting on the mayor’s welcome remarks, Selemela ward councillor, James Matlhogojane said: “Most of the projects have not been achieved for the recurrent budget in the 2017-2018 financial year. As council we take resolutions, but our town clerk, Mpho Mathe does not implement them or there is lack of supervision from his part. He is the one contributing to failure of this council. According to the Local Government Act, the town clerk is supposed to give us guidance and he is the one accountable for council”.
He said Mathe should account for the projects on how many were done and those that did not start and give council the reasons behind such.
In addition the councillor said the town clerk should also give advise to the mayor if there is a problem.
“We understand six out of 60 projects are done. Let the office of town clerk explain what is going on before we discuss the next financial budget.”
For his part councillor for Gaborone Central ward Mohammed Sobhan said: “We should understand that the town clerk did not have a technical officer, maybe that is why our projects are behind. I do not agree that only six out of 60 projects were implemented. Let’s give his office a chance to update us as councillors before we persecute him. I will be very disappointed if this could turn out to be true. I will therefore be forced to support other councillors”.
However in an interview with the town clerk, Mathe dismissed all allegations levelled against him by the councillors.
“Of course some projects have been delayed, but most of them are at high stage. We have awarded some tenders and they would start soon,” he said.