Oranjemund Town Council Holds Budget Consultation Meeting for FY 2025/202
Oranjemund, 07 July 2025 – The Oranjemund Town Council hosted its Budget Consultation Meeting for the Financial Year 2025/2026 at the Zachariah Lewala Hall, providing residents with an opportunity to engage on key budgetary issues and development priorities.
The meeting was opened by His Worship, Cllr. Elias Kasemba, who welcomed all residents and emphasized the importance of such platforms in shaping council decisions. He expressed appreciation to community members who attended, noting that budget sessions are crucial for understanding the Council’s plans for the new financial year.
The Chairperson of the Management Committee, Cllr. Guame Stephanus, presented the proposed budget, prepared in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Authorities Act, Act 23 of 1992 (as amended). He highlighted that there will be no increase in water tariffs for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The consultation session included an open questions-and-answers dialogue, where residents raised concerns and proposals on a range of issues, including:
· Council’s revenue-generation methods and their impact on residents.
· Allocation criteria for housing and plots, including the newly constructed 56 houses.
· Infrastructure maintenance and quality of service delivery.
· Transparency in Council’s financial reporting and databases.
· Housing needs, land scarcity, and rising rental costs.
· The town’s long-term sustainability in light of mining activities.
· Community engagement schedules and councillors’ availability.
· Plans for electrification projects, relocation of the dump site, and potential mall development.
The Town Council took note of all inputs and pledged to continue prioritizing community engagement, service delivery, and development projects in alignment with available resources.
The session concluded with a reaffirmation of Council’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the implementation of the 2025/2026 budget.
