The MMC for Finance and Economic Development, Doctor Xhakaza, announced during the Ekurhuleni’s metro budget speech that an amount of R4.6-b in the medium-term revenue and expenditure framework (MTREF) and R1.6-b for the 2019/20 financial year has been allocated to the Department of Human Settlements.
Major projects in this regard include the Leeuwpoort mega project (R380-m for the MTREF and R165-m for the 2019/20 financial year).
Xhakaza presented an annual budget of R48.9-billion for 2019/20 financial year, with an operating expenditure of R41.5-b.
Money was allocated accordingly for numerous projects as follows:
Energy:
A total of R2.29-b has been set aside for the MTREF and R706-m in the new financial year to cover:
& Electrification of informal settlements
& Lighting programme of townships
Refurbishment of towns and townships:
The work to improve and give a facelift to the decaying urban centres, such as Germiston, Boksburg, Kempton Park and the Alberton Boulevard, will continue to turn them into modern urban centres with a vibrant corporate look that can attract and boost investor confidence.
In this regard, an amount of R998-m is set aside for the MTREF and R404-m for the 2019/20 financial year.
Metro police and Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS):
The EMPD and DEMS have been allocated R914-m in the MTREF and R275-m for the new financial year.
The City will also build new fire stations in, among other areas, Katlehong, Reiger Park and Olifantsfontein.
An amount of R98-m is budgeted for the recruitment of 266 additional metro police constables.