VRYHEID KZN: Municipality’s strategic planning focusses on basic service delivery

During the recent three-day strategic planning that the municipality undertook, the main objective was to look at key performance areas and goals, as well as development objectives. Regarding key performance areas, they looked at basic service delivery and infrastructure development, with a goal to reduce levels of infrastructure backlogs by providing basic services and facilities, as well as maintaining existing infrastructure.

On the issue of roads, the municipality is looking at expanding accessibility in various wards and maintaining existing roads in rural and urban areas. Strategies include constructing new gravel roads, constructing new tarred and paved roads, constructing new causeways, spatially capture roads infrastructure, and the construction of taxi ranks.

Furthermore, there will be upgrading of gravel roads, re-gravelling, re-sealing, as well as rehabilitation of existing tar. Storm-water plans will see the construction of new storm-water drains, cleaning of storm-water drains and spatially capture storm-water infrastructure.

On the topic of sanitation, the plan is to establish new sewer lines, construct public ablution facilities, as well as spatially capture sanitation infrastructure. Old sanitation pipes will be replaced.

Addressing water challenges, it was said that they will be installing new water connections, upgrading water main lines, replacing old pipes, repairing water lines, repairing existing water pumps, and maintaining purification treatment plants.

Municipal management understands the challenges that citizens are facing when it comes to electricity; therefore they have prioritised the installation of new electrical connections, installation of electrical meters, installation and repairs of high-mast lights, general infrastructure maintenance on mini and major substations, upgrading of existing transformers, and repairs to robots.

In the matter of refuse removal, new areas and settlements have been identified to offer refuse services and they have established an integrated waste management plan.

For cemeteries, there will be construction and maintenance of cemeteries; upgrading and revamping of existing cemeteries, including the fencing of all unused cemeteries; as well as identifying and establishing new cemeteries.

They also looked at recreational activities by prioritising the issue of sports fields and parks, where there will be construction and maintenance of new sports fields and parks in various wards, as well as upgrading and revamping existing sports fields and parks.

Addressing the issue of human settlements, they have identified and secured land prior to project approval. This will ensure that they appoint experienced and qualified implementing agents.

They will also be looking at the land disposal policy for public use, strengthening intergovernmental relations, land identification and release, facilitation of bulk service provision, as well as middle income housing development.

Municipal Manager Bonga Ntanzi indicated that, through the strategic plan, “Our other goals were that we need to empower and capacitate institutional structures and promote transparent co-operative governance.

And to ensure sound financial management and accountability – to be responsible, accountable, effective and an efficient developmental municipality. “We further have to promote socio-economic growth and job opportunities, redress spatial imbalances, and promote sustainable environmental planning.

The main core plan is to be the progressive, prosperous and sustainable economic hub of Zululand by 2035.

We are gradually moving towards achieving that goal, which will assist in the betterment of our citizens.”

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