The City of Johannesburg’s residents, businesses personnel, educational institutions, Non Profit Organisations (NPOs) and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have until the end of this month to participate and put their comments on the Municipality Tariff Structure.
Written comments on the structure should be addressed to the city’s customer service centres across all regions and alternatively, interested people can check the city’s website for information.
Joburg city manager Trevor Fowler said: “In revising its tariffs for water, electricity and refuse removal, the city takes into account current food and fuel prices, which have soared by a sky-high margin.
“The annual tariff determination also considers economic trends, user consumption, affordability and international best practices.” He said.
According to Fowler, the city has had an increase of more than 14.88 percent in electricity input costs as a result of bulk purchase costs from Eskom, the Kelvin Power Station and the impact of the decision by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and Eskom to hike rates by 16 percent.
“City Power increases are based on Nersa guidelines; the 14 percent tariff increase required by City Power is three points above Nersa guidelines of an 11.03 percent tariff increase for municipalities.
“The municipality said it will continue to assist its registered indigents by offering free basic electricity per household.”
The proposed draft amendment tariff structure takes into account all city-rendered services, including arts, culture and heritage services, cemeteries and crematoria, parks, open spaces and nature reserves, council rental stock, emergency management services, environmental health services, library and information services, Metrobus fares, by-laws, Rea Vaya fares, refuse removal, sport facilities, recreation centres, the Johannesburg Zoo, as well as water services, sewerage and sanitation.
Fowler said: “The City believes that the current tariff structure is fair and the intention is to support consumers in their efforts to adjust their consumption and utilise resources responsibly and the new tariff structure will come into effect July 1.”
People’s comments may also be emailed to mphomap@joburg.org.za
