ALBERTON – The challenges mentioned by the Mayor in his speech were: illegal miners, unemployment, poverty, inequality, limited local suppliers, lack of poverty, and the backlog in basic services and infrastructure.
One of the main strategies mentioned by the mayor to combat the limited use of local suppliers is the Ekurhuleni Community Empowerment Package. According to the speech R2.9 billion should be set aside for businesses owned by the youth, women, and people with disabilities; black industrialists and community job creation initiatives. The mayor further presented that from July no less than 30 per cent of all awarded contracts be awarded to local vendors.
The mayor announced the initiation of the Ekurhuleni Youth Empowerment Packages that once implemented is expected to confront and combat high levels of structural unemployment and create employment opportunities.
A large area of concern mentioned is the water wastage, which as of last year amounted to a R670 million material loss. The mayor proposed that in addition to repairing leaks and infrastructure upgrades; the city will be looking at other sources of water sources.
Mayor Gungubele addressed the issue of electricity by recapping some of the initiatives already taken by the city. Energy efficient light bulbs have been installed in council buildings and the city is continuing with efforts into alternative energy sources.
Potholes have been identified as a priority area, and the city has allocated R213 million to deal with road rehabilitation and pothole repair. The city will reportedly begin with priority roads.
The debate on the state of the city address occurred on Thursday, March 25 before the EMM ordinary council meeting.
