Jabulani Mkhonza
UThukela District Municipality
Communications Unit
The UThukela District Municipality Deputy Mayor Cllr NW Sibiya accompanied by Okhahlamba Local Municipality Cllr Vilakazi and Cllr Mfuphi and District officials on Tuesday delivered the Draft IDP and Budget Presentation 2019/20 to the first round of IDP to stakeholders at the Bergville Sports Complex.
READ THIS: MEC ‘appalled’ during visit to Estcourt businesses
This engagement was among many initiatives made by government since the democratic dispensation. The purpose of such consultations is to ensure that all interested and affected stakeholders make inputs to the 2019/20 Draft IDP and Draft Budget.
The Deputy Mayor delivered the draft documents to the stakeholders, which included ward committees, sector departments, organised businesses, and ratepayers.
Addressing the audience, the Deputy Mayor mentioned that this was still the draft budget, meaning that community requests and suggestions are of major importance and will be taken into consideration before the actual budget is approved by council.
She also made it known that the budget does not operate in silos but it is aligned with all spheres of government in order to ensure that they speak in one voice. The community was encouraged to eliminate wastewater in all ways possible since there is an outcry that most of the treated water goes to waste due to standpipe leaks that are not reported by communities in time.
The Deputy Mayor also conceded that uThukela faces challenges in terms of revenue collection, aging infrastructure, population density versus current infrastructure, the issue of Woodstock Dam feeding Gauteng residents, electricity tariffs, etc. but make a commitment that uThukela is currently working closely with relevant departments to resolve the issues that require resolutions.
“Even during these tough economic times, uThukela District Municipality still strives to hire staff members through the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) and also ensures that in every financial year, interns from almost all wards are trained and receive incentives.
“Budget copies with attached monetary values are available on request from the office,” concluded Cllr Sibiya.
At another community meeting, the Speaker Cllr PG Strydom also delivered the same Draft IDP and Budget. The Speaker was in Ward nine of Okhahlamba Local Municipality in the Zwelisha area.
Among other issues mentioned in the budget was the allocation of R 3 million for the community, which will refurbish filters for water pumps and also improve the water infrastructure that will enhance the delivery of water to the community.
“However, what destroys water facilities are some commuters who have connected illegally to the water pumps. Further to that this affects water pressure and ultimately water supply to the community,” said the Speaker.
She then pleaded with the community to fight illegal water connections and to protect their own facilities.
UThukela District Municipality has also committed to a short to medium-term solution to refurbish and erect boreholes in order to ensure access to water for the community. The issues raised by the community have been captured for the purpose to make amendments to the drafts.
SEE MORE:
UThukela District Municipality hosts public consultation meetings to assist with needs analysis
Uthukela District Municipality highlights the importance of water services
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
