Francistown City Mayor, Godisang Radisigo has lamented the financial constraints his council finds itself under.
In his Full Council session address on Monday Radisigo said the limited financial resources limits the scope at which they can be able to provide for critical items such as maintenance of facilities, procurement of fleet and equipment as well as the implementation of new initiatives and strategies.
He revealed that FCC has an annual budget of P215, 158,400.00 for the financial year 2022/2023, and as of 31st October they’ve already spent P124, 765,158.79.
“Running expenses remain a challenge with utilities and fuel bills being the highest spenders,” he said.
Radisigo further revealed that P137, 760,410.00 of the total budget which is 64% is committed to personnel fees like salaries whilst the rest P77, 398,260.00 or 36% is earmarked for service provision.
He said he was disappointed that of the P36, 147,460 expected to be collected by council, only P9, 996,364.80 or 27.7% was collected
“This is indeed too low to facilitate the expenditure of Council. I therefore take this opportunity to urge the public to come forward and pay for Council services such as sanitation fees, service levies, rates and others. Let us take responsibility to develop and maintain our city by contributing our part to resource the city council,” he said.
Meanwhile the Mayor said despite the many challenges his council is committed to turning Francistown into one of the best destinations in the country through projects such as maintenance of roads and servicing of street lights.
4.3 Roads Maintenance
The Mayor revealed that they’re currently implementing a number of projects with the P10million they received in the current financial year under Road levy fund.
These he said includes the tender for asphalt overlay of 2.8km Kazungula road which closed on 2nd August 2022 and is under evaluation.
“Installation of Solar streetlights which is done at P2.7million commenced on 14th November 2022 and it is expected to be completed by the 01st December 2022. With regard to Installation of two (2) tower lights at Monarch, the tender closed on the 5th October 2022 and it is expected to be awarded by end of November 2022,” said Radisigo.
He further said the tenders for development projects which comprise of 8km asphalt overlay and 2km resealing of CBD roads as well as pothole patching at P18 000 000.00 and projects are currently under evaluation.