The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) councillors in the North West District Council (NWDC) have denied allegations that they are plotting to reject a proposed motion by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) councillor, Nico Folae to suspend councillors’ seating allowances for the next 12 months amid financial constraints.
The Chanoga-Samedupi councillor is of the view that the allowances for the collective could go a long way in cushioning council’s current financial difficulties which has consequently disrupted some essential provisions.
While the proposed motion has been unanimously welcomed by other BDP councillors, those from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and the independent ones, it has however reportedly unsettled BCP councillors.
The BCP which has the majority seats of 20 is reportedly planning to use its dominance to vote against the proposed motion. This as BDP only has three councillors, UDC (7) and there are two independent councillors.
The proposed motion could not be tabled during this week’s NWDC special meeting as Council chairman Itumeleng Kelebetseng argued that Folae was not present to table it while the BDP councillor on the other hand claims it was a political tactic by the BCP.
“Its political games, how do you put up a motion and leave without debating it. I was supposed to call him and present it but he was no where to be found,” said Kelebetseng.
He however indicated that BCP councillors are in support of such a move which has been also be supported by BCP members of parliament.
If our sitting allowances can be suspended to assist the public out there, I do not see any problem with it, “he noted.
Folae, had highlighted that with the P330 allowance they receive per sitting; councillors could step in and assist council to feed learners who are already starving as a result of financial constraints. These limitations have already forced the council to tighten the belt.
“This issue of the struggling economy is known by everyone, and government has appealed to us to assist them. As I speak, there is no food in schools and children knock of early because we cannot provide for them. Hence I am saying as NWD councillors we should also give government a helping hand, “pleaded Folae.
He indicated that the councillors’ sittings do not occur once a month but almost every week during committee meetings which culminate to an amount that can be helpful. The outspoken councillor believes his colleagues cannot decry disruptions to their financial plans should the motion pass arguing that they already have basic salaries and also claim traveling expenses (mileage).
The council leadership has previously announced the immediate suspension of hand stamping services, temporary scaling down of food items in schools as well as the delayed payments of Ipelegeng workers.
Meanwhile, the council chairman has revealed that in efforts to cut expenditure, the ministry of local government and traditional affairs has ordered for councils to reduce their committee sittings so that the funds can be diverted to other areas of need. He revealed that out of 10 committees, only two will seat on monthly basis while the rest will convene quarterly.
Kelebetseng added that they have also been directed to establish council-owned company aimed at generating additional revenue and NWDC has already started the process through the guidelines given by the ministry.
