Silas Nduvheni
LIMPOPO – WATER and sanitation challenges will soon be a thing of the past for several communities as the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) has prioritised 95% of its capital budget towards this.
“We have set aside an amount of R789 million for water and sanitation this financial year. This allocation represent 95% of our capital budget of R840 million,” VDM mayor, Tshitereke Matibe, said recently.
He said the allocation of more funds to address challenges of water and sanitation in was a clear indication of the commitment the municipality had to tackle water challenges head-on without passing the blame to other stakeholders.
According to Matibe, about 24 projects would be implemented this financial year at a cost of R738 million.
“Some of the projects implemented will be the Mulima-Likhade source development and bulk water supply in the Makhado municipality. Also the Luphephe-Masisi bulk water supply in Mutale and the Budeli-Dumasi, Mutoti and Makhuvha water reticulation in the Thulamela municipality,” he added.
Matibe, who was joined by Vhavenda king, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, and the chairperson of the Vhembe House of Traditional Leaders, Hosi Busa Nxumalo, various mayors, councillors, traditional leaders and residents, addressed them during the Vhembe State of the District Address, which was delivered at Ha-Rabali El’shadai Church last Tuesday.
Matibe tabled a budget of over R1,6 million, which will see the more than 1,3 million Vhembe residents get their share, especially through community development projects. However, Matibe appealed to traditional leaders in the district to cooperate with the municipality so that real development could be implemented.
Ramabulana said as traditional leadership, they wanted to work well with municipalities so that the lives of the people could change for the better.
“We are worried that some councilors are fighting with traditional leaders when community projects start to function and these projects then end up halted. We want councilors who respect the traditional leaders and work well with them to implement better service delivery,” Rampulana said.
He further urged business people to join hands with government in the development of the education of young people.
Nxumalo welcomed the Vhembe budget speech and said much work was needed by the municipality.
