Kavango West sucks at hind teat
The region is fed up with the limited funding it continues to receive from central government since 2014.
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
Regional councils are set to receive the same budgets as last year, which has left Kavango West bitterly unhappy, given that it will continue to receive the least amount of money of all such entities countrywide.
This follows a circular from the urban and rural development ministry which indicated that regional councils should have presented their budget proposals by 20 May, and that no increases in funding will be forthcoming for the 2020/21 financial year.
The ministry received N$1.713 billion in the national budget delivered by finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi recently, compared to N$1.861 billion in 2018/19 and N$1.982 billion in 2019/20.
Last year, the Kavango West regional council received about N$37 million, of which 95% was for obligatory expenditure, while the remaining 5% catered for operations, something the region said can no longer be tolerated and must be addressed.
Expenditure
A total of N$29.8 million is spent on personnel expenditure, N$1.9 million on utilities, which includes water and electricity, N$2 million on renting office space, N$1.9 million on security services, N$150 000 on insurance and N$90 000 on membership fees paid to various bodies.
This leaves the regional council with a mere N$1.6 million that must cater for various needs, including fuel and maintenance for vehicles, stationery and cleaning materials.
'Paralyse'
According to a media statement issued by regional council spokesperson Salomo Tenga, they are fed up with the limited funding they've received from central government since 2014.
He also said funding remaining the same for the 2020/21 financial year has the potential to 'paralyse' the council.
Tenga explained they are unable to function properly and no new vacancies will be filled, while more staff is desperately needed.
There are about 40 vacancies.
Tenga said there will also be no new vehicles purchased, despite the existing ones being in a sorry state.
“The region is considered one of the poorest in the country and the proposed budget ceiling cannot cater for its needs,” the statement said.
Youngest region
“As the youngest region, in line with bringing about development guided by the principles of the decentralisation policy, the Kavango West regional council will not be able to perform as expected if it is considered and treated the same way as already established regional councils.”
Tenga also said along with the underfunding of other ministries in the region, this hampers overall performance, especially as the coronavirus still looms.
Regional council chairperson Joseph Sivaku Sikongo will meet with line minister Erastus Uutoni to inform him of their challenges.
Namibian Sun has for years reported on planned projects in the region that either are not completed, or even begun.
RUNDU
Regional councils are set to receive the same budgets as last year, which has left Kavango West bitterly unhappy, given that it will continue to receive the least amount of money of all such entities countrywide.
This follows a circular from the urban and rural development ministry which indicated that regional councils should have presented their budget proposals by 20 May, and that no increases in funding will be forthcoming for the 2020/21 financial year.
The ministry received N$1.713 billion in the national budget delivered by finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi recently, compared to N$1.861 billion in 2018/19 and N$1.982 billion in 2019/20.
Last year, the Kavango West regional council received about N$37 million, of which 95% was for obligatory expenditure, while the remaining 5% catered for operations, something the region said can no longer be tolerated and must be addressed.
Expenditure
A total of N$29.8 million is spent on personnel expenditure, N$1.9 million on utilities, which includes water and electricity, N$2 million on renting office space, N$1.9 million on security services, N$150 000 on insurance and N$90 000 on membership fees paid to various bodies.
This leaves the regional council with a mere N$1.6 million that must cater for various needs, including fuel and maintenance for vehicles, stationery and cleaning materials.
'Paralyse'
According to a media statement issued by regional council spokesperson Salomo Tenga, they are fed up with the limited funding they've received from central government since 2014.
He also said funding remaining the same for the 2020/21 financial year has the potential to 'paralyse' the council.
Tenga explained they are unable to function properly and no new vacancies will be filled, while more staff is desperately needed.
There are about 40 vacancies.
Tenga said there will also be no new vehicles purchased, despite the existing ones being in a sorry state.
“The region is considered one of the poorest in the country and the proposed budget ceiling cannot cater for its needs,” the statement said.
Youngest region
“As the youngest region, in line with bringing about development guided by the principles of the decentralisation policy, the Kavango West regional council will not be able to perform as expected if it is considered and treated the same way as already established regional councils.”
Tenga also said along with the underfunding of other ministries in the region, this hampers overall performance, especially as the coronavirus still looms.
Regional council chairperson Joseph Sivaku Sikongo will meet with line minister Erastus Uutoni to inform him of their challenges.
Namibian Sun has for years reported on planned projects in the region that either are not completed, or even begun.
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