R60 million for Lulekani project
The Executive Mayor of the Mopani District Municipality (MDM), Pule Shayi, said they have allocated R60 million for the Lulekani Benfarm Water Scheme Project starting this new financial year.
He made the statement during the MDM’s State of the District Address, which was held at the Council Chambers in Giyani, where he was addressing different stakeholders. He said that the project should ultimately resolve water supply challenges around Lulekani and that so far it has created 38 work opportunities. The Executive mayor promised that through their bulk water infrastructure, communities in Maseke and Boyelang will have a consistent supply of water by end of December this year.
‘‘We are busy with Phase 4 of the Makhushane Water Scheme project. At least six SMMES have been appointed to benefit from this project,’’ he explained. He also mentioned that the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, has set aside R8 million for the electrification of villages for the 2022/2023 financial year. An amount of R10 million is set aside for the upgrading of Benfarm Street.
Also read: R17 million for Hoedspruit water project
They also have R18 million for the installation of stormwater culverts in Mashishimale Lejori, Makhushane, Lulekani access bridge to the cemetery, and Humulani access bridge to the cemetery. Shayi also promised that the D4424 road at Lulekani in Phalaborwa will be rehabilitated this financial year. Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of D3840the road from Giyani to Phalaborwa is above 75% completion and the contractor is on-site to start with Phase 2 which should cover the entire stretch up to Phalaborwa.
‘‘Phase 1 of rehabilitation on the 9km on the D11 is now above 65% completion, a contractor is on-site for phase 2 and that will complete the entire rehabilitation on D11 at Ga-Mamaila, Kolobetona,’’ he added. He also promised the people of Giyani that by the end of September they will have water. Some of the different water projects that they are busy with within the five local municipalities in the district include projects in the Greater Letaba Municipality.
During 2021/22 financial, they spent R26 million as part of phase 2A of the Sekgosese Ground Water Scheme and 19 SMMEs are benefiting from that project. An amount of R15 million is set aside for the Rotterdam Ground Water Scheme Project and they will spend R3,5 million on Sefofotse to Ditshosini Bulk Water Supply. Meanwhile, the Maruleng Municipality, they have budgeted R17 million for the Hoedspruit Bulk Water Supply.
Also read: Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality budgets R672M
They will also begin with work on the Zandspruit bulk pipeline project where they have set aside a budget of R3 million. In the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, the Lephephane bulk water project with an amount of R50 million is set to begin during this financial year. In terms of sanitation, he mentioned that about 96.5% of people in Mopani have sanitation. In reaching out to rural communities, at least 6852 households are set to benefit from this (VIP toilets) programme as concluding the 2021/22 financial year.
The rural household sanitation project budget in the different municipalities is as follows; R2,7 million for Maruleng, R12,2 million for Tzaneen, R6,2 million for Letaba, R12,5 million for Giyani, and R33,2 million for Ba-Phalaborwa. The Executive Mayor also touched on some of the road projects and local economic development projects they are busy with within the district.
