Africa-Press – Botswana. It is critical to intensify project monitoring to ensure timely delivery of key projects, says Tsabong District Council chairperson Mr Hendrik Jacobs.
Addressing a full council meeting in Tsabong he said it was pertinent to ensure swift implementation of projects, adding that it was important to undertake pre-tender activities in advance to avoid unnecessary delays.
On the development budget he said, over P52 million was expended as at March 31 against a budget of P71 million approved by Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
“This is a cumulative amount inclusive of all completed projects which are on defects liability period and those awaiting finalisation of final accounts,” he said.
As for the 2024/25 financial year community constituency programme (CCP), the council chairperson said nine projects were scheduled to be implemented during the current year, only one was complete, while four projects were at an evaluation stage and four of them would be implemented by artisans.
The remaining eight projects, he said were planned to commence by June 30 and were anticipated to be completed by October.
According to the CCP project report, the completed project was a calvert at Kisa.
The other projects at evaluation stage were paving of 250m-road from a tarred road by Werda clinic to the police station, veterinary department and Botswana Postal Services at Werda, Makopong 500m pavement from main road to clinic, paving of 200m road at Bontleng BHC houses in Tsabong, paving of 600m pavement at Struizendam.
It stated that projects, which would be constructed by council artisans included paving of 80m road from main pavement at Maralaleng to school gate, paving of 100m road from junction to Logaganeng kgotlana at Maubelo, paving of 100m road from main road to Khuis clinic as well as paving of 100m road from main road to the primary school at Vaalhoek.
Mr Jacobs said as one of the key projects in the district, Tsabong Mini Stadium Phase I components had been completed except for the second ablution block which was yet to commence.
He added that works for distribution of utilities such as water and electricity were ongoing and thereafter, the community would be allowed to partially use the stadium.
For Phase II of the project, he noted that an amount of P10 300 000 had been approved for the current financial year which would be used on installation of an artificial turf, development of a gravel track and a volley ball ground.
He said 2023/2024 council recurrent budget expenditure stood at P134 million (98 per cent) against the budget of P137 million as at March 31, 2024.
This, he said did not translate into savings or under-expenditure since there were payments which were to be accounted for under the same financial year.
Furthermore, Mr Jacobs who is also councillor for Bokspits/Struizendam said the council received a revenue support grant of over P132 million from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
A total revenue of P940 534.42 out of P3 730 497 was sourced as own income as at March 31, 2024 which was 25 per cent adding that the low collection was partly due to manual collections which were not captured in the system.
The council welcomed newly appointed Tsabong District Council Secretary Mr Mosimanegape Mogorosi from Jwaneng Town Council who takes over from Mr Mpho Mathe. “It is my belief that we will work together for the betterment and advancement of our District,” Mr Jacobs said.
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