Ondangwa tables provisional budget
Biggest chunk earmarked for road tarring
The mayor said although the overall budget decreased, the development budget increased from N$43 million to N$52 million.
The Ondangwa town council on Tuesday tabled its 2022/23 provisional budget totalling N$170 million.
The biggest chunk of the budget, N$12 million, is earmarked for the tarring of a road at Extension 26.
The construction of the sport stadium was allocated N$9.5 million, while cleaning services account for N$4.8 million of the budget, which totals N$2 million less than the N$172 million of the previous financial year.
Ondangwa mayor Paavo Amwele said the budget is subject to approval by urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni.
He added that the budget is always informed by the needs and aspirations of residents, which is reflected in community suggestions collected on various platforms, such as meetings and other engagements.
Top priorities
Among the top priorities identified by the council are land provision, road infrastructure development, health, environment, youth development and capacity development for council staff members.
The mayor said council tariffs remain unchanged amidst the outbreak of Covid-19, which has affected the economy of the country.
“However, council will keep an eye on our bulk service suppliers such as NamWater and Nored to see if they are planning heavy rate increases,” he said.
Once these rate changes are considered, council might reconsider some of its prices to avoid selling water at a loss.
Hard work
The mayor said although the overall budget decreased, the development budget increased from N$43 million to N$52 million.
An amount of N$26 782.04 will be taken from council’s own reserve, he said, adding that it needs to work hard and build its reserve to ensure that it is not depleted in future.
In addition, the town council must generate about N$45.7 million from the sale of water and N$32.2 million from rates and taxes, while erven sales are expected to generate close to N$16 million.
Moreover, the government subsidy continues to decline - as it has for a number of years - with this year’s contribution of N$946 000 lower than the N$4 million provided in the last financial year.
“This is a commitment we need to make and cut our spending to reduce our general expenses. Things like travelling, fuel and overtime we are going to strictly control to achieve what we are targeting” Amwele said.
The biggest chunk of the budget, N$12 million, is earmarked for the tarring of a road at Extension 26.
The construction of the sport stadium was allocated N$9.5 million, while cleaning services account for N$4.8 million of the budget, which totals N$2 million less than the N$172 million of the previous financial year.
Ondangwa mayor Paavo Amwele said the budget is subject to approval by urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni.
He added that the budget is always informed by the needs and aspirations of residents, which is reflected in community suggestions collected on various platforms, such as meetings and other engagements.
Top priorities
Among the top priorities identified by the council are land provision, road infrastructure development, health, environment, youth development and capacity development for council staff members.
The mayor said council tariffs remain unchanged amidst the outbreak of Covid-19, which has affected the economy of the country.
“However, council will keep an eye on our bulk service suppliers such as NamWater and Nored to see if they are planning heavy rate increases,” he said.
Once these rate changes are considered, council might reconsider some of its prices to avoid selling water at a loss.
Hard work
The mayor said although the overall budget decreased, the development budget increased from N$43 million to N$52 million.
An amount of N$26 782.04 will be taken from council’s own reserve, he said, adding that it needs to work hard and build its reserve to ensure that it is not depleted in future.
In addition, the town council must generate about N$45.7 million from the sale of water and N$32.2 million from rates and taxes, while erven sales are expected to generate close to N$16 million.
Moreover, the government subsidy continues to decline - as it has for a number of years - with this year’s contribution of N$946 000 lower than the N$4 million provided in the last financial year.
“This is a commitment we need to make and cut our spending to reduce our general expenses. Things like travelling, fuel and overtime we are going to strictly control to achieve what we are targeting” Amwele said.
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