64% of Erongo budget goes to wages

THE Erongo Regional Council yesterday tabled an operational budget of N$66 million, of which N$41,7 million (64%) will go to wages. A capital budget of N$13,3 million was also tabled.

The government's portion for the operational budget is about N$54,4 million, which includes a 9% salary increase. Council will have to make up about N$12 million by increasing its tariffs and improving basic services from its settlements in the region.

Only 36% of the operational budget will go towards activities such as water sales and maintenance expenses in the various constituencies, settlements and the council's head office at Swakopmund. Under the rural development programme, the council plans to build 153 toilets at the Daures, Karibib and Walvis Bay rural constituencies, and also finance 83 small business start-ups in the rural areas. The programme furthermore includes food and cash for work programmes; a rural employment scheme; region-specific action plans; and support for poor farmers.