Moratorium lifted

Processes to lift the moratorium on development that the Polokwane Municipality imposed four years ago, will be instituted within the next three months.
Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng made this announcement at a breakfast session with the city’s business community that was hosted at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World last Wednesday.
Nkadimeng said that Polokwane’s position as the economic hub of the province has attracted both the positive and negative aspects related to rapid economic growth. “One of the negative side effects has been rapid migration to the city which led to a strain on provision of basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity. The municipality’s infrastructure had already started showing signs of ageing and could not bear further strain without posing significant danger to people and property,” Nkadimeng said.
According to Nkadimeng, it has been more than four years since the municipality placed a moratorium on new developments until such time it is satisfied that the city’s infrastructure can accommodate it. “To this day, the moratorium is still in place because we have not been able to collect and receive sufficient revenue and grants to fund projects which will improve and expand on our infrastructure to a point where we can sufficiently carry the existing burden and accommodate new developments, which I am certain you are or have already planned. Be that as it may, there are certain developments that were approved prior the introduction of the moratorium, and the developers are exercising those rights at their own time,” Nkadimeng informed and explained that the municipality took a decision to look at alternative funding models and finally settled on the concept of off balance sheet projects. “These are projects that are rolled out through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and include a 90 MW solar plant, waste water treatment plants for Dalmada and the city, replacement of asbestos pipes and construction of the Polokwane International Convention Centre and I am pleased to mention that work has already begun and we are making significant progress.
Nkadimeng also informed guests about the municipality’s 2030 Smart Vision plan that outlines how Polokwane is working towards being a Smart City. The elements of the vision are Smart Economy, Smart Environment, Smart Governance, Smart Living, Smart People and Smart Mobility.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Polokwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng addresses guests at the meeting with the city’s business community.