R300m projects boost for KSD
MORE than R300-million has been set aside by the provincial treasury for social infrastructure projects in the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality.
Treasury and KSD signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday at the Mthatha town hall’s council chambers.
Treasury’s head of department, Daluhlanga Majeke, said their department’s intervention has created about 228 job opportunities.
“This memorandum is not just about giving the municipality money but also hands-on support in the form of the two engineers that have been deployed to KSD to provide on the job assistance,” Majeke said.
He said the memorandum should not be seen as treasury taking over responsibility for the municipality, but as support in delivering and discharging services.
Majeke said a portion of the money has been set aside for road upgrades, which included the construction of the R61 bypass road and the construction of access roads through the construction or revamp of existing gravel roads. Construction of the bypass is already under way.
The road upgrades have contributed to 64 local jobs.
The three-year memorandum will also include the upgrade of KSD’s electricity network.
Municipal manager Mlamli Zenzile said the support would strengthen
Mthatha Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association spokesman, Madyibi Ngxekane, said they welcomed the provincial intervention because people wanted service delivery. — ziphon@dispatch. relations with government.