Millions earmarked for services

R66-million will be spent on capital projects in Msukaligwa for the 2015/2016 financial year, said Msukaligwa Executive Mayor Cllr Sipho Bongwe.

At the sixth ordinary council meeting, Mr Bongwe said the municipality would be spending R48-million on water and sanitation, R12-million on upgrading the electrical infrastructure and R6-million to address potholes and road maintenance. He added that the budget was insufficient, but a step in the right direction.

Water projects, among others, will include water reticulation in Chrissies­meer, as well as the replacement of pipes and the refurbishment of water treatment works in several wards.

Sewer projects will include upgrading of sewer treatment plants and the installation of convertible waterborne toilets.

The municipality will be constructing an 88/11kV 20MVA substation for all the wards, while all households will be electrified.
The road to Morgenzon as well as Joubert and Oosthuise streets will be rehabilitated.

Mr Bongwe said over the next five to 10 years, the municipality would ensure that the infrastructure is well maintained and sufficient resources are put aside for refurbishments.

The DA welcomed the budget presentation with reservations, saying that the mayor’s budget is a repeat of the same story three years ago. They would. however, do everything they could to help the municipality turn things around.

DA councillor Mr H.F. Swart cautioned that the only way for the budget to work was for there to be firm, proper debt and credit control policies in place which will deter people from defaulting on their payments.

The mayor concluded his presentation by thanking members of the mayoral committee for their guidance, councillors for advancing the people’s interests and the municipal manager, Mr Sabath Shongwe, and his whole staff for their commendable work.

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