Councillors asked to do one thing at a time

Representative of the Department of Local Authorities, Ben Tabi, has encouraged Shefa Provincial Councillors attending their Budget Session this week, to do one thing at a time and do it well.

He was referring to any investment project that Shefa Provincial Council decides to allow to operate in any of its 19 Area Councils.

Tabi said the emphasis of both Prime Minister, Joe Natuman and Minister for Internal Affairs, Charlot Salwai, is for all Provincial Councils to work to effect an improved Provincial Tax Base throughout the Provinces.

There are six Provinces, three Municipalities and 72 Area Councils in the country. Tabi said the current Government is determined to see an improved tax base to generate revenue in each Province, Municipality and Area Council to provide services to the people.

He said, “That is the very reason why you Councillors were elected to where you are today, to provide those essential services to the people.”

Tabi praised Shefa Province for spearheading provincial projects to open the eyes of other Provinces saying the Government is pleased with the objectives of the Council in 2015.

“If an Area Council wants to focus in agriculture then let it focus in agriculture. If another wants to focus in tourism then let it focus in tourism. Let’s do one thing at a time and do it well and I think this is the message,” he said.

While the President mentioned a lack of “development fund for councillors”, the DLA representative said, “This session is about the 2015 Budget and the DLA functions to provide relevant advice,” Tabi said.

On the question of any issues that may exists, he advised the President to work with his Council to find answers to them.

On anything to do with the law, Tabi advised the Council to turn to the DLA which in turn can approach State Law for advice. “I am advising the Administration to stop engaging private lawyers in Provincial matters. Use the State Law through DLA but do not go direct to State Law,” he warned.

To strengthen Area Councils, Tabi said the Planning Unit of the Department of Provincial Affairs is developing a planning framework to link and harmonise the policy direction of the Government beginning at the top right down to the people at grassroot level. “And that is where you Councillors are based,” he said.

Tabi also referred to different policies that connect the National Budget process of the Government. “While Shefa Province is promoting 2015 to work with its 19 Area Councils, the basis for its focus is this policy. If we want to work with communities and at the same time, not isolate the Government from us, this policy is the bridge,” he said.

“Secondly, on the issue of development fund, we want to make sure that there is coordination at all times concerning any donor funding based on our projects in the communities. Strengthening of Area Councils also include strengthening of Area Plans. TAG sets out the investment projects in a booklet and presents it to the potential donor who will fund the project as presented in the booklet”.

Tabi said the communities in the Area Councils will depend on their Councillors to bring their projects to reality.

To launch the Budget Session, the President of Shefa Province Edward George said the main focus for the expenditure budget for 2015 cannot be compared to this year’s budget, as it has to be zeroed on Area Councils to effect service delivery to the people in the rural areas.

The President reiterated his call at his inauguration when he reminded the different councillors to put aside their political differences and work together to serve the best interest of the people.

“I am confident that you will all utilize this Budget Session to deliberate on all the relevant topics at hand to bring about a positive outcome at the end of your meeting”, he said.

While the President did not say how much the 2015 Budget is going to be, Daily Post understands that in 2013, the total budget was 108 million, while the 2014 budget was reduced to Vt97 million.

The reduction was due to the amendment to the Government property tax, which exempted all investments whose turnover was less than Vt4 million.

However, Parliament has revoked the amendment prompting the 2015 Shefa Provincial Budget to increase to Vt114 million.