Umdoni allocates R50-million for infrastructure upgrades and maintenance
Mayor Khathi added that a budget of R50-million was allocated for this plan, to restore dilapidated infrastructure.
Umdoni Municipality‘s long-awaited multi-million rand service delivery turnaround plan was officially launched on Raymond Avenue, Scottburgh last Tuesday (4th).
Under the theme “Sigijima neNtuthuko” which translated from isiZulu means ‘we are running with development, the turnaround plan aims to conduct a vigorous wall to wall rehabilitation of Umdoni’s rural and urban communities.
PR Councillor Reshma Brijraj explained the purpose of the ceremony and expected outcome of the plan.
Ugu District Municipality mayor Sizwe Ngcobo was also present and offered a message of support.
Umdoni mayor Sibongile Khathi gave more details of the turnaround plan.
“We received a lot of feedback from communities through Izimbizo meetings held a few months ago,” she said.
“We noted many complaints and grievances regarding service delivery matters and came up with this turnaround strategy to eliminate the majority of issues.”
Mayor Khathi added that a budget of R50-million was allocated for this plan, to restore dilapidated infrastructure.
Major work will be carried out such as upgrades of rural and urban roads, street lights, verge maintenance, refuse removal, maintenance of community facilities, electrification and grass cutting.
“We have allocated the funds in accordance to the severity of the service delivery needs for each constituency, also with a view of ensuring tangible progress in breaching the evident developmental gaps and challenges between the rural and urban communities of Umdoni,” said Mayor Khathi.
Services and allocation of funds have been approved as follows:
• Maintenance of roads and storm water – R31.5-million.
• Electrification – R8-million.
• Grass cutting – R1.5-million.
• Street lighting – R2-million.
• Refuse removal – R5-million.
• Maintenance of community facilities – R2-milllion.
Verge and streetlight maintenance is already underway in Freeland Park to Scottburgh, Park Rynie to Total Garage, Park Rynie to Rocky Bay, Pennington, Ifafa Glebe, Sezela, Bazley, Ifafa Beach, Elysium, Mthwalume, Gandinaghar to Riverside Park, Asoka Heights, Hazelwood, Kadville, St Patrick’s, St Andrews, Coastal Farmers, Shayamoya and Esperanza.
“There has been an outcry for verge maintenance for a long time, and we are happy to tell the public that the work on the ground is visible,” said the mayor.
Roadworks have also commenced since the turnaround strategy launch last week with major road rehabilitation expected in Douglas Road (ward 10), Palm Road (ward 10), Barracuda Road (ward 10), Selborne Road (ward 15) and Raymond Avenue (ward 15).
As Raymond Avenue has been in poor condition for a long time, the sod turning was done on this road to mark the commencement of the strategy plan last week.
Service providers appointed for the turnaround plan were present at the launch, but were not properly introduced to the community, leaving many people questioning who they are.
At a media briefing later that day, the municipality stated that a list of the service providers will be made available should anyone wish to see it.
Mayor Khathi also stated that most work is expected to completed by the end of June.
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