Africa-Press – Namibia. HILENI NEMBWAYA
THE Ondangwa Town Council has tabled its capital and operational expenditure budget estimated to be N$170 million for the 2022/23 financial year.
A number of areas that are said to have enjoyed priority within this budget are land provision, road infrastructure development, health and environment, youth development through social infrastructure development, and capacity development for staff members.
Ondangwa mayor Paavo Amwele during the budget presentation at Ondangwa on Tuesday said the council’s budget is always informed by the needs and aspirations of the residents, which are reflected in their suggestions at various platforms and engagements, such as community meetings.
“It is also fair to announce that people’s needs are unlimited, but unfortunately their capacity to address these needs is limited.
“This is true for the council as well. There are many needs and aspirations of our people, but all of their needs cannot be addressed at once.
“Our combined work is therefore to prioritise the needs that can be met today and those that will be met tomorrow. This is the basis on which this year’s budget was compiled,” he said.
The council has set aside N$9, 5 million for the construction of the first phase of a sport stadium, and N$3,9 million for the construction of tar roads at Oluno.
The council further plans to set aside about N$12,1 million for the construction of tar roads at Extension 26, N$3 million for the completion of the Onguta sewer network, and N$4, 6 million for the completion of an electricity network at Extension 26.
Amwele said even though the council’s expenditure is huge, it only stands at around 30% of the total budget, while general expenses are around 30,9%.
“Our salaries, wages and allowances are about 20% of our total budget, while only 2,4% goes to repairs and maintainence. The other percentages go to provision for bad debts, which is at 4%, provision for leave, which is at 1,1%, and provision for depreciation, which is at 12,3%.
“All in all, our budget is showing our commitments as a council to make Ondangwa a better town for all,” Amwele said.
The council’s budget is said to have decreased from N$172 million to N$170 million this year as a commitment to cut its spending by reducing its general expenses.
“Let me announce that although our people have huge developmental needs, we are yet again, for a third year running, not going to increase the prices for services we are rendering.
“This is to give our residents, who are already struggling to cope during these difficult times of declining economies of the world and pandemics, relief and breathing space,” he said.
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