Africa-Press – Botswana. Councillors in North West District Council (NWDC) have welcomed the proposed Local Authority Decentralisation Policy.
They expressed their approval during a full council meeting that was addressed by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa in Maun on Tuesday.
Minister Motshegwa briefed councillors that the proposed policy aimed to empower local governments to be independent from central government, hence would enhance public service delivery.
He said the move would strengthen the administration of local authorities and improve coordination. The autonomy of councils, he said would bring desirable changes such as empowerment and capacitation of council leadership.
Boyei councillor, Mr Diare Baoketsi pointed that the proposed policy would help to improve service delivery since councillors worked closely with people. Mr Baoketsi further said the proposed policy would aid job creation in local governments.
Matlapana-Shorobe councillor, Mr Kobamelo Baikgodisi welcomed the proposed policy saying it would advance councils and render them autonomous.
He appealed to the local government ministry to reconsider the budget allocation for the NWDC which he said declined over the years yet the district was among the poorest in the country with peculiar challenges.
Somelo-Hainaveldt councillor, Mr Moetetsi Mogalakwe said it was a welcome development for local authorities to be independent, but said councils had not been doing well in terms of generating revenue, something that called for local authorities to be empowered in that regard.
For his part, NWDC chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng said councils should earn royalties for road levies, tourism levies and vehicle licenses.
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