Maseru, June 10 – Prime Minister Mr. Ntsokoane Matekane has stressed that while inadequate funding is often cited as the main challenge to service delivery, weak accountability and governance also contribute significantly to poor service provision.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with Community Councils at Manthabiseng Convention Centre on Wednesday, Mr. Matekane said the engagement was intended to provide a platform for sharing experiences and challenges in service delivery while exploring ways to strengthen governance and community development.
He noted that budget allocations to community councils have increased by 8.7 percent over the past two years, contributing to improvements in the rehabilitation of roads and bridges as well as access to water. However, he pointed out that 41 percent of the population remains dissatisfied with the quality of services provided.
Mr. Matekane said limited funding is not the only obstacle to effective service delivery, adding that government is developing a framework that will allow direct transfer of funds to community councils.
He further indicated that despite receiving sufficient budget allocations, some councils return unspent funds due to procurement challenges. He therefore urged council officials to utilise allocated resources responsibly to fulfil their mandate and improve service delivery.
The Prime Minister described community councils as pillars of democracy and expressed confidence in their role in national development. He assured participants that concerns raised during the meeting would receive the necessary attention.
The Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship, Mr. Nkhethoa Seetsa, reminded councillors of their responsibility to promote efficient service delivery and improve the lives of the people who elected them.
He also pledged to address challenges relating to malfunctioning machinery, which participants identified as a major obstacle to community development projects. He called on those responsible for managing government equipment to stop the theft of fuel and machinery parts.
Representing District Administrators, Mr. Bonang Morahanye expressed optimism that the engagement with the Prime Minister would result in meaningful improvements in district development. He said district administrations remain committed to advancing community development despite numerous operational challenges.
Meanwhile, Maseru City Council Mayor Mr. Relebohile Sechache raised concerns about interference by ministry officials and Members of Parliament in projects that fall under the authority of local councils.
He said such interference often leads to conflict, particularly when development projects are used for political campaigning. He proposed regional consultative meetings involving the ministry and relevant stakeholders to address the matter.
Speaking on behalf of District Council Chairpersons, Mr. Mohahla Molapo called for the full implementation of decentralisation and the reinstatement of a former Principal Secretary in the ministry, saying community projects progressed more efficiently under his leadership.
District Council Secretaries representative, Mr. Paseka Letela, described the meeting as a valuable opportunity to share experiences and discuss challenges affecting community councils. He reiterated the need for the full implementation of decentralisation.
Among the key issues raised by councillors were delays in the decentralisation process, low salaries, non-functional machinery caused by fuel shortages, inadequate capital budgets and the allocation of equal budgets to district and community councils despite differences in geographical size and operational demands.
Participants were also informed about two upcoming national events, namely the Leadership Retreat scheduled for June 21 to 23 and the Accountability Summit set for July 1 to 3.
Ends/LP/BM
