Keetmans aims for financial efficiency

THE Keetmanshoop Municipality has recorded a N$1,5 million surplus for the 2003 financial year.

Reverend Andreas Biwa, the Mayor, told close to 150 residents at a meeting this week that the Municipality had budgeted N$36 million for the 2004-05 financial year – a five per cent increase on the previous year’s budget. “The five per cent growth on this budget is achieved without any increase in tariffs.That should be regarded as good news for the poor community of Keetmanshoop,” said Biwa.The Mayor said the Council was even ready to absorb, and not pass on to consumers, NamWater’s annual water increase.Gone were the days of budget deficits, he said, predicting that Keetmanshoop was on its way to financial efficiency.”Keetmanshoop is no longer spending what she does not have but only what is budgeted for,” Biwa boasted.An amount of N$11 million was budgeted for Council employees salaries – an increase of nine per cent in line with the introduction of the new Paterson grading system to be introduced in July.Capital spending of N$1,2 million was announced for the servicing of residential erven [plots] at Tseiblaagte – less than last year’s N$1,7 million.There is an allocation of N$3,5 million for the tarring of streets in the Kronlein suburb while N$200 000 has been put aside for bursaries, training and human development.The Council also announced that it would spend N$108 000 through its social responsibility programme.The bulk of it will go to the Municipality Assistance Training Scheme programme which is aimed at providing school graduates at the town with job skills, thus cutting the unemployment rate.An amount of N$200 000 has been set aside for the renovation of the old cemeteries, while the rehabilitation of parks and sports stadiums will cost N$420 000 .Biwa also announced that Council had budgeted N$545 000 for the reconstruction of the fence at the sewerage ponds, consultation fees and maintenance fees for the network.In addition, N$25 000 has been set aside for the Karas regional team to compete in the annual The Namibian Newspaper Cup as well as for sportswear for the Municipal soccer team.”The five per cent growth on this budget is achieved without any increase in tariffs.That should be regarded as good news for the poor community of Keetmanshoop,” said Biwa.The Mayor said the Council was even ready to absorb, and not pass on to consumers, NamWater’s annual water increase.Gone were the days of budget deficits, he said, predicting that Keetmanshoop was on its way to financial efficiency.”Keetmanshoop is no longer spending what she does not have but only what is budgeted for,” Biwa boasted.An amount of N$11 million was budgeted for Council employees salaries – an increase of nine per cent in line with the introduction of the new Paterson grading system to be introduced in July.Capital spending of N$1,2 million was announced for the servicing of residential erven [plots] at Tseiblaagte – less than last year’s N$1,7 million.There is an allocation of N$3,5 million for the tarring of streets in the Kronlein suburb while N$200 000 has been put aside for bursaries, training and human development.The Council also announced that it would spend N$108 000 through its social responsibility programme.The bulk of it will go to the Municipality Assistance Training Scheme programme which is aimed at providing school graduates at the town with job skills, thus cutting the unemployment rate.An amount of N$200 000 has been set aside for the renovation of the old cemeteries, while the rehabilitation of parks and sports stadiums will cost N$420 000 .Biwa also announced that Council had budgeted N$545 000 for the reconstruction of the fence at the sewerage ponds, consultation fees and maintenance fees for the network.In addition, N$25 000 has been set aside for the Karas regional team to compete in the annual The Namibian Newspaper Cup as well as for sportswear for the Municipal soccer team.