Community influences metro’s budget
The city of Ekurhuleni held its IDP budget presentation for the Springs community at the Springs Civic Centre on Tuesday.
Residents from Neva-neva, Bakerton, Springs and Daggafontein were transported by buses to the venue to hear about the proposed budget by the metro and given a chance to ask questions.
The budget was presented by MMC for Finance, Councillor Moses Makwakwa.
Presenting the budget Makwakwa said that the metro has set aside the amount of R13-million to invest in the Springs market and R4-m is set aside for the development of Murray Park.
Makwakwa continued to say that for now there is no amount of money invested for the relocation of water meters in Springs, however, R2-m is set aside for the Payneville Extension Three rehabilitation.
He explained that R4-billion will be used for assessment rates, R11.7-billion will go to electricity, refuse removal will receive R1.2-m and that R4.6-billion will be used for government grants.
He said the proposed budget for the disaster and emergency management services is R1 010 000 while R84 212 335 is set aside for the human settlement and that for water and sanitation R258 300 is set aside.
Speaking about the challenges that the metro is faced with, he said the municipality experiences a high outstanding of debt which sometimes is the cause of slow development in some areas within the metro.
He also mentioned the non registration of indigents.
Residents were then given a chance to ask questions and Aboo Khan from Bakerton raised a concern about the Payneville Extension One development that has been going on for more than two years but still not complete.
One of the questions raised was the issue of the high unemployment rate in Springs.
Answering the questions and concerns raised, Makwakwa said the metro understands that many young people in Springs are unemployed and that the Expanded Public Works Programme that is happening in most of the townships are other ways to fight against the unemployment.
“We are still planning to develop the land next to the N17 Hospital and we hope that once the development starts many young people will get employment,” said Makwakwa.
He concluded by mentioning that the metro hopes for national government involvement with the development of the Springs train station which brings hope for more job opportunities for people of Springs.
