22 Nov 2015

Financial constraints may delay projects carried through the Ipelegeng programmes. 

When addressing North East District Council's meeting recently, North East District Ipelegeng coordinator Mr Victor Masunga stated that they were faced with financial challenges and that the situation might delay the developments and projects to be carried out  in the district.

Mr Masunga stated that the approved budget for the year 2015/16 was P16 087 735 and the figure was less than the previous year's budget by P280 201. 

He added that expenditure up to October was P9 858 077 leaving them with a balance of P6 229 651. 

He also stated that some of the projects were already approaching negative balances because of the budget that was cut.

Mr Masunga indicated that it was also difficult to find skilled labour for Ipelegeng projects in some villages because people felt that what they were offered was below the market price.

He said they had eight projects which were 100 per cent complete, seven at 76 per cent to 99 per cent, nine are at 51 per cent to 75 per cent while sixteen projects are at 26 per cent and 50 per cent and eleven are at 1 per cent to 25per cent , adding on that Domboshaba gate house is currently at 98 per cent .

Furthermore, Mr Masunga stated that they intended to consider doing some of their projects in phases especially where funds are not enough. 

He added that they addressed the high staff turnover by giving staff two year contracts and that they will keep pleading with skilled people to assist by taking up their offer.

Despite the challenges that Ipelegeng is facing, the North East District Council is making efforts to make sure that they bring in development in the districts. 

According to the North East District Council chairperson, Ms Florah Mpetsane, the council has just completed maintaining the teacher's houses in Ditladi, Pelotelele and Tati Siding.

She also stated that there are planned maintenance works for Senyawe, Mapoka and Nlapkhwane Primary School facilities and that all these works are expected to prolong the life span of their facilities and enhance productivity in the district.

On destitute housing, Ms Mpetsane stated that 19 houses out of 25 allocated for financial year 2013/14 have been completed. S

he said that the other remaining are at 75% completion stage and that only one house is below roofing level.

Furthermore, she also indicated that in the year 2014/15 the district was allocated 15 houses and that currently ten houses are complete and others are 90% complete.

In addition she said for the financial year 2015/2016 they were allocated 20 houses and that construction of all the houses has already started and to date nine houses are over 75% complete while others are at initial stages.

She also informed the house that the Letsholathebe/Sechele servitude has been completed including installation of the gates. She urged councillors and the community to come up with ways of upgrade the road to a required standard where the movement of people and goods will be quicker and convenient. Ends