Mayor addresses council

The Prasa/Gibela rolling stock project was officially launched last week.

The Executive Mayor of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Clr Mondli Gungubele, shared his excitement about the project during his address at the council meeting held on Thursday.

“We can expect dust and cranes by February next year. The first train is expected to hit the rails by late 2016 if everything goes according to plan,” said Clr Gungubele.

“While we, like the rest of the country, have every reason to be concerned about the stubborn unemployment rate which has hit a six-year high at 25.5 percent according to Stats SA, at least as the EMM we have something to smile about,” he said.

He said the rolling stock project is expected to create about 30 000 direct and indirect jobs.

“This is a major acupuncture project which will result in a massive economic boom in the eastern part of Ekurhuleni. I dare say that looking at the EMM’s prowess, we are the future of the province and the country at large in so far as economic growth is concerned. Ours now is to demonstrate our state readiness for the new Ekurhuleni,” said Clr Gungubele.

During his speech, Clr Gungubele also said the municipality’s credit rating has demonstrated “good and healthy financial performance”.

“According to rating company Moody’s Investor Service, the EMM’s credit rating reflects a relatively large and diversified economic base, strong liquidity and traditionally conservative approach to financial management,” said Clr Gungubele.

“The report continues to reflect our historically moderate debt levels and liquidity position relative to those of rated peers. The EMM has been rated at the high end of the range of South African metros and other municipalities,” he said.

He said the EMM and Cape Town were recently recognised by the South African Local Government Association (Salga) as top municipalities in terms of functionality, water quality, effluent quality, audit reports, finances and asset management. Clr Gungubele said this puts the two municipalities on top of the water delivery league charter in the country.

The National Water Services Operational Performance League is a benchmarking initiative by Salga involving 152 water services authorities.

“This achievement does not come as a surprise though, because our city has been consistent in terms of producing the best drinking water in the country. We have received the Blue Drop Award status for four years in a row from the Department of Water Affairs. The quality of our drinking water has been hovering between 95 percent and 98.95 percent in this period,” said Clr Gungubele.

Speaking about the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), Clr Gungubele said the project seeks to introduce new public transport services that are reliable, safe and affordable. He said he and Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Ishmael Vadi and Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), Thumbu Mahlangu, toured the construction of the first route for the BRT.

“We were generally satisfied with the work being done. A total of 10 kilometres of non-motorised transport infrastructure, which is pedestrian walkways and cyclist paths, have already been constructed in Kempton Park, Tembisa and Rondebult,” said Clr Gungubele.

“Seven lay-bys for loading and offloading passengers have also been constructed along the complementary routes, providing for safer roads. We have since appointed two contractors for the construction to the value R270-million,” said Clr Gungubele.

Referring to a hijacking incident recently that resulted in the death of four-year-old Taegrin Morris of Delmore Park, Clr Gungubele said, “This ‘Prince of Peace’ as nicknamed by the Premier of Gauteng, Honourable David Makhura, at the funeral, has become synonymous with a campaign led by the municipality and endorsed by the province which aims to rid our communities of, among others, all forms of crime, drugs and substance abuse.

The premier has made it clear that the time of overlooking minority communities when it comes to development is over. Indeed, I wish to echo his sentiments and say enough is enough,” he said.

He added that economic and social programmes must begin to incorporate all communities. @BedfordJourno