Water a priority in Ugu’s draft budget

MASSIVE water and sanitation upgrades have been promised in Ugu District Municipality’s R1-billion plus draft budget for the upcoming financial year.

Ugu and local municipalities are currently engaged in a series of Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget Road Shows to afford communities the opportunity to provide their input on the service delivery draft budget.

* With an increased capital of R392 473 920, the new financial year’s budget caters for the advancement of the District’s water and sanitation services and infrastructure.

* An operational budget of R790 658 097 will be for the improvement of water and sanitation services, tourism, relief for the poor and special programmes. Some R189 800 000 of this budget will address water service backlogs.

* R53 269 420 of the budget will be utilised for sanitation services.

* The municipality has budgeted R6 246 580 for the completion of the installation of ventilated pit latrines (VIP toilets) in the rural communities.

* For urban customers, the municipality has proposed a seven percent water and sanitation services tariff increase for the 2015/16 financial year.

* In the critical area of service delivery, a significant portion of the budget (R249 316 000) has been set aside in a form of a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG).

* An amount of R303 885 000 from Equitable Share will ensure the continuation of free basic water provision via communal standpipes and drought relief, amongst other things.

* An allocation of R69 438 080 has been made for water tariff subsidisation.

During her presentation of the budget, District Mayor, Councillor Ntombifikile Gumede, stated that the public participation process is key in the endorsement of the budget.

Following the conclusion of the road shows, Mayor Gumede will present the final budget to council for adoption in May. The new financial year starts on July 1, 2015.