The City of Ekurhuleni held an Integrated Development and Planning (IDP) and budget consultative meeting on Friday night at the Springs Civic Centre.
The IDP is a process through which municipalities prepare a strategic development plan, which extends over five years.
This then guides and informs all planning, budgeting, management and decision-making processes in the municipality.
Through this process, members of the community have an opportunity to comment on the developmental programmes of the City.
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Ekurhuleni MMC of infrastructure services Masela Madihlaba was in attendance and presented the City’s plans for 2021 as well as its accomplishments in 2020.
A total of R3.96-billion has been allocated to fund projects for the 2021/2022 financial year.
“One of our main concerns this year is water scarcity. The population is increasing and we need to preserve as much water as possible. That is why we are building a reservoir at the Springs Fresh Produce Market.
“We also built a reservoir in Derlsey and in other areas. We have close to a million people who have access to sanitation, thanks to these efforts,” said Madihlaba.
He also spoke about the achievements of the Department of Human Settlements and its efforts in building houses in Duduza and Payneville as well as the Megacity Project currently underway in Daggafontein.
“So far, we have built 42 000 houses.
“We have electrified many of the informal settlements around Springs as well,” he said.
According to Madihlaba, progress has also been made by the Roads and Storm Water Department.
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“Also, rehabilitation of the Bakerton Stadium and the repairing of the Springs library will make the town more attractive.
“Water and sanitation will also be given a boost with the construction of reservoirs in Edelweiss, Modder East, Pam Brink and Selcourt.
“Unfortunately, we have an electricity problem here in Springs, so we will be building a new substation in ward 75,” he said.
Residents from the Skoonplaas informal settlement who attended the meeting asked that the City takes steps to name their streets.
“Police and emergency services are unable to reach us because our streets aren’t named. They drive straight past us. We have been asking for years but nothing has been done,” said a resident from Skoonplaas.
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Another resident said the City needs to do more to help small businesses, especially during Covid-19.
The draft IDP and budget, including the approved tariff structure, may be viewed on the City’s website at www.ekurhuleni.gov.za
All comments and inputs on the draft IDP and budget must be emailed to budgettips@ekurhuleni.gov.za
The closing date for comments is April 29.
All enquiries on the draft IDP and budget must be forwarded to katlego.mokwena@ekurhuleni.gov.za or samuel.kgatla@ekurhuleni.gov.za
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