*Mayor calls for broadening the revenue base, develop a revenue collection *Already spent 51. 4% of the budget *Embarking on major roads rehabilitation at estimated cost of over P554 million
The Gaborone City Council has spent over P236 million, which is 54 percent of the total amount allocated it under the recurrent budget, Gaborone City Mayor, Austin Abraham told a full Council meeting.
He said the total budget allocated under the recurrent budget was P457, 795, 440.00, and as of October 2023, P235, 629, 266.33 (51.4 percent of the budget) has been spent.
Abraham emphasised the need to find ways to broaden the revenue base and develop a revenue collection strategy in order to maintain a positive financial position. He also provided information on revenue collection, stating that it stood at over P293.2 million which is 64 percent of the budget.
This collection includes P77, 264, 047.80 from own sources and P222, 897, 885.00 as Revenue Support Grant (RSG). Without doubt, the mayor's statement causes concern about the city's financial situation and calls for proactive measures to enhance revenue generation and fiscal sustainability. Developing a comprehensive revenue collection strategy could be crucial for the city's financial health.
Abraham issued a challenge to his fellow Councillors, asserting that they should perceive themselves as the primary solution to prevailing issues. He emphasised the need for proactive engagement to deliver economic and efficient services to the communities.
“We need to engage ourselves further to bring solutions. Our responsibility is to ensure that services are provided to our communities economically and efficiently," Abraham stressed.
Abraham highlighted ongoing efforts of the GCC to collaborate with various entities to enhance service delivery and attract investments for Gaborone residents. Noteworthy interactions during the third quarter included meetings with the United States Ambassador to Botswana, Howard Van Vranken, and discussions with the Office of the Ombudsman Advocate regarding co-hosting the Second International Ombud Exposition in 2024.
Abraham reported engagements with the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) concerning power outages in the city. He appealed for solutions to address power cuts and urged BPC to communicate maintenance plans to the public.
In response, BPC raised concerns about vandalism and theft affecting power infrastructure, especially in Gaborone North. Abraham urged the public to refrain from such behaviour, emphasising its adverse impact on citizens' livelihoods. Updating Councillors on the city's internal roads, Abraham noted that most bituminous roads have exceeded their design life, leading to widespread potholes. Contracts for pothole patching were recently awarded, with the aim of initiating work by December 2023.
Major roads requiring substantial rehabilitation were identified, with an estimated cost exceeding P554, 242, 500. The Council is addressing this through the Community Constituency Programme (CCP), with ongoing projects such as road paving in Bontleng and Babusi and asphalt overlay in Block 5.
Abraham provided updates on storm water drain desilting, city illumination with solar streetlights, and efforts to improve household waste collection and disposal services. He stressed the importance of public cooperation in waste management and cautioned against throwing debris into storm water drains during rainy seasons.
Discussing the city's partnership with Vasteras Municipality, Abraham detailed a three-year sustainability project aimed at enhancing Gaborone City Council's capacity for engaging society in sustainable consumption and waste management. The project includes exchange visits to share knowledge among participating municipalities.
Abraham also addressed the relief programme, Ipelegeng, noting a nationwide increase in slots and specific allocations for Gaborone. Projects under the Ipelegeng Skills Development Component are progressing well, with additional initiatives such as guardhouse construction at various locations.
Regarding the Self-Help Housing Scheme Agency (SHHA), Abraham highlighted ongoing efforts to provide decent accommodation despite a substantial outstanding debt of P31, 375, 863. The Council has implemented a strategy, 'Pay your Debt, Convert Your Plot, Secure your Future,' involving a house-to-house campaign to address outstanding debts.
On the city's water supply, Abraham reported consistent reliability but expressed concerns about vandalism of Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) infrastructure. WUC is owed a significant amount by customers in the Gaborone Service Area, leading to disconnections and engagement with External Debtors for debt recovery.
The corporation plans to roll out smart utility meters to become a smart utility corporation by April 2024, emphasising the need for customer accounts to be at zero balance for this transition. Abraham urged constituents to settle their dues to facilitate this process.
On educational matters, the mayor announced the completion of two new primary schools, which were funded under the Economic Recovery Transformation Plan (ERTP) and are now prepared for occupancy.
The inaugural intake for both Marulamantsi Primary School in Phase 4 and Morula Primary School in Block 6 is scheduled for January 9, 2024, coinciding with the schools' reopening.
The mayor emphasised that comprehensive consultations took place with various stakeholders, including Village Development Committees, Members of Parliament, Councillors, and the wider community.
Furthermore, admissions for both Marulamantsi Primary School and Morula Primary School have been concluded, with a focus on alleviating overcrowding in existing Gaborone schools and accommodating students from private schools or other locations outside Gaborone seeking admission.
Each school will enrol students from reception to Standard 6, featuring one reception class and three classes for each stream, each accommodating 30 pupils.
However, the mayor noted that overall performance remains worrisome, particularly in senior secondary schools. The recent mock examinations revealed an average pass rate of 21 percent, with Ledumang Senior Secondary emerging as the lowest-performing school at 15 percent.
The mayor attributed the poor performance of Ledumang Senior Secondary to a high incidence of juvenile delinquency within the school. However, on a positive note, primary schools are performing exceptionally well, boasting an average pass rate of 82.2 percent based on past mock examinations.
He said the total budget allocated under the recurrent budget was P457, 795, 440.00, and as of October 2023, P235, 629, 266.33 (51.4 percent of the budget) has been spent.
Abraham emphasised the need to find ways to broaden the revenue base and develop a revenue collection strategy in order to maintain a positive financial position. He also provided information on revenue collection, stating that it stood at over P293.2 million which is 64 percent of the budget.
This collection includes P77, 264, 047.80 from own sources and P222, 897, 885.00 as Revenue Support Grant (RSG). Without doubt, the mayor's statement causes concern about the city's financial situation and calls for proactive measures to enhance revenue generation and fiscal sustainability. Developing a comprehensive revenue collection strategy could be crucial for the city's financial health.
Abraham issued a challenge to his fellow Councillors, asserting that they should perceive themselves as the primary solution to prevailing issues. He emphasised the need for proactive engagement to deliver economic and efficient services to the communities.
“We need to engage ourselves further to bring solutions. Our responsibility is to ensure that services are provided to our communities economically and efficiently," Abraham stressed.
Abraham highlighted ongoing efforts of the GCC to collaborate with various entities to enhance service delivery and attract investments for Gaborone residents. Noteworthy interactions during the third quarter included meetings with the United States Ambassador to Botswana, Howard Van Vranken, and discussions with the Office of the Ombudsman Advocate regarding co-hosting the Second International Ombud Exposition in 2024.
Abraham reported engagements with the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) concerning power outages in the city. He appealed for solutions to address power cuts and urged BPC to communicate maintenance plans to the public.
In response, BPC raised concerns about vandalism and theft affecting power infrastructure, especially in Gaborone North. Abraham urged the public to refrain from such behaviour, emphasising its adverse impact on citizens' livelihoods. Updating Councillors on the city's internal roads, Abraham noted that most bituminous roads have exceeded their design life, leading to widespread potholes. Contracts for pothole patching were recently awarded, with the aim of initiating work by December 2023.
Major roads requiring substantial rehabilitation were identified, with an estimated cost exceeding P554, 242, 500. The Council is addressing this through the Community Constituency Programme (CCP), with ongoing projects such as road paving in Bontleng and Babusi and asphalt overlay in Block 5.
Abraham provided updates on storm water drain desilting, city illumination with solar streetlights, and efforts to improve household waste collection and disposal services. He stressed the importance of public cooperation in waste management and cautioned against throwing debris into storm water drains during rainy seasons.
Discussing the city's partnership with Vasteras Municipality, Abraham detailed a three-year sustainability project aimed at enhancing Gaborone City Council's capacity for engaging society in sustainable consumption and waste management. The project includes exchange visits to share knowledge among participating municipalities.
Abraham also addressed the relief programme, Ipelegeng, noting a nationwide increase in slots and specific allocations for Gaborone. Projects under the Ipelegeng Skills Development Component are progressing well, with additional initiatives such as guardhouse construction at various locations.
Regarding the Self-Help Housing Scheme Agency (SHHA), Abraham highlighted ongoing efforts to provide decent accommodation despite a substantial outstanding debt of P31, 375, 863. The Council has implemented a strategy, 'Pay your Debt, Convert Your Plot, Secure your Future,' involving a house-to-house campaign to address outstanding debts.
On the city's water supply, Abraham reported consistent reliability but expressed concerns about vandalism of Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) infrastructure. WUC is owed a significant amount by customers in the Gaborone Service Area, leading to disconnections and engagement with External Debtors for debt recovery.
The corporation plans to roll out smart utility meters to become a smart utility corporation by April 2024, emphasising the need for customer accounts to be at zero balance for this transition. Abraham urged constituents to settle their dues to facilitate this process.
On educational matters, the mayor announced the completion of two new primary schools, which were funded under the Economic Recovery Transformation Plan (ERTP) and are now prepared for occupancy.
The inaugural intake for both Marulamantsi Primary School in Phase 4 and Morula Primary School in Block 6 is scheduled for January 9, 2024, coinciding with the schools' reopening.
The mayor emphasised that comprehensive consultations took place with various stakeholders, including Village Development Committees, Members of Parliament, Councillors, and the wider community.
Furthermore, admissions for both Marulamantsi Primary School and Morula Primary School have been concluded, with a focus on alleviating overcrowding in existing Gaborone schools and accommodating students from private schools or other locations outside Gaborone seeking admission.
Each school will enrol students from reception to Standard 6, featuring one reception class and three classes for each stream, each accommodating 30 pupils.
However, the mayor noted that overall performance remains worrisome, particularly in senior secondary schools. The recent mock examinations revealed an average pass rate of 21 percent, with Ledumang Senior Secondary emerging as the lowest-performing school at 15 percent.
The mayor attributed the poor performance of Ledumang Senior Secondary to a high incidence of juvenile delinquency within the school. However, on a positive note, primary schools are performing exceptionally well, boasting an average pass rate of 82.2 percent based on past mock examinations.
