Finance Dept achievements, challenges and well wishes for 2020
JOBURG – Finance departments pledges to work with residents and business to rebuild the city post Covid-19.
The City of Johannesburg Finance MMC, Jolidee Matongo reflected on the year that was 2020 and admitted that Covid-19 had put their plans in limbo.
“We were preparing to go to council to present an adjustment budget in February. This was presented and approved and we were looking forward to a very good year of service delivery to the residents of the city but unfortunately, a month later we were hit by Covid,” he said.
Matongo added that notwithstanding the challenges experienced by the City during the months-long lockdown, he was pleased that his office was able to adjust their revenue creation and collection methods, and provide relief in the hundreds of millions to the residents of the city.
Of all the hurdles the finance department encountered and overcame this year, its ability to table and pass the 2020/2021 Budget, Tariffs and the Integrated Development Plan, were the MMC’s highlight for the year.
“In a municipality that is hung like Johannesburg where you do not have an outright winner, you always have a challenge when you’ve got to pass the budget. We had to talk to the various political parties represented in council who have very different views and approaches as to where the money of the City should be spent.”
The majority of council agreed on the budget tabled by Matongo which consisted of allocations of R1.2 billion for the formalising of informal settlements, R261 million for the upgrading of flats, old age homes and hostels, and R45 million for the rollout of free Joburg Wi-Fi, to mention a few.
As the year comes to the end and residents prepare for the festive season, the MMC shared his well wishes with everyone. “The finance department wishes the residents of Johannesburg a blessed festive season. We wish and hope you all strive through the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown we have seen.
“We commit ourselves to holding hands with our residents to rebuild the city post Covid-19.”
He concluded that the public should remain conscience of the fact that Covid-19 still existed and pleaded with them to adhere to all the rules, regulations and safety guidelines for the virus.
