Modimolle-Mookgophong Mayor talks of turnaround in town

MOKOPANE – The DA-led government in Modimolle-Mookgophong Municipality made a huge impact in the lives of ordinary people, said Mayor of Modimolle-Mookgophong, Marlene van Staden.

Van Staden said in a statement the new administration inherited a financially crippled municipality but the DA made efforts to make a difference in the lives of residents, notwithstanding the chronic lack of adequate resources and lack of cooperation from the ANC.

Since the DA took over from the ANC, the party have managed to achieve the following in 365 days:

Water and sanitation

• 12 boreholes were drilled in Modimolle to supplement water supply and a further connected four of them were connected through a new pipeline to the main infrastructure;

• 3.3 mega liter reservoir was built in Vaalwater and constructed a pressure tower at Driehekke;

• Waste Water Treatment at Modimolle and Mookgophong were upgraded and are fully functional;

• Electricity was reconnected at Vaalwater Sewerage Plant for the first time in five years;

• The internal water reticulation system in Mookgophong was upgraded by installing pressure reducing valves, scowl valves, air and isolation valves as well general upgrade of the lines in town;

• The Nyl pump station and the re-sealing of the Nyl reservoirs was also upgraded;

• Seven kilometers of the asbestos water pipeline in Mookgophong was replaced with a PVC pipeline; and

• Yard connections for toilets and bulk infrastructure for sewer was installed in Phomolong and Mookgophong.

Housing

• 533 RDP houses in Ward 4 (Mookgophong) will now receive water and sewer connections whilst new houses are being built in Mookgophong and Vaalwater.

Infrastructure

• Resealing of the main tar roads, paving of Mogol Street and 4 other streets in Leseding, Vaalwater and further pave six more streets in Ward 6, Phagameng;

• The completion and opening of the Lilian Ngoyi bridge;

• The Leseding sports facility was upgraded;

• The Department of Health approved a building of a new clinic in Roedtan and Ext 10, Phagameng;

• The building of a new school in Ext. 10, Phagameng was also approved;

• 12 new traffic lights was installed in Modimolle and all streetlights in Mookgophong town and Vaalwater was fixed;

• We ordered 2 000 bags of tar and used it to fill hundreds of potholes all over the municipality; and

• We also received a donation of 100 stop signs and these were installed on all intersections in Modimolle, Phagameng and Mookgophong.

• Launching the first local Aids Council in Waterberg district;

• Opening of the new Early Childhood Development Centre in Mookgophong township on Mandela Day;

• Debt collection rate has increased from 58 % to 76 %;

• Appointed a company who assist with revenue enhancement by helping to sort out the municipal accounts;

• Free Wi-Fi is currently being installed at a specific locations in each town;

• Local contractors workshop are held to help alleviate corruption by informing the public what they need, to do business with a municipality.

Van Staden said: “This proves that where the DA governs we prioritise the needs of residents by redistributing the budget to poor communities, providing water and proper sanitation to communities.”

Van Staden said the contractor is planning to open the main road of Mookghopong in September, after which finishing will be necessary. “The engineering department will have a site meeting next week after which the date will be given when all roadworks will be finished.” Van Staden said the DA will continue to fight against corruption and prioritise quality services to our community by reversing the mess created by the previous ANC-led administration and turn this municipality into a place of freedom and prosperity.”

redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za