Mayor’s to do list
From Page 6
do away with stray animals in the urban area. Yesterday at Councillor Orientation of new councillors this was among the list of issues that would need councillor involvement.
The maintenance of streets and the storm water network is also very high on my list. Unfortunately government funding for streets is very limited and with the financial situation of the Municipality as it is, this is problematic. I would once again invite you to, if you have any innovative ideas on how this matter could be addressed, to share it with the Acting Municipal Manager.
Our electricity infrastructure needs serious attention, especially in the industrial area. I am aware of the fact that supply is unstable and erratic. We have managed to source R4m from the DOE to upgrade the infrastructure to this area and are looking for another R6m. The Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee is assisting the Municipality in its endeavours.
Sewerage reticulation and bulk sewerage management are other focus areas. R146m was made available by the ECDC to attend to sewerage reticulation. ECDC is the implementing agent and consultants were appointed and contractors are being appointed. The two waste water treatment works – Mayfield and Belmont Valley are in the process of being upgraded. R140m is secured from the DWS to upgrade Mayfield, R48m will be spent this year. R2.5m is available to undertake a scoping exercise of the work necessary to upgrade Belmont Valley and to undertake emergency repair works. DWS is the implementing agent. The department has committed to providing the funding for the upgrade, once the scoping exercise is completed and it is estimated that this will be in the region of R190m.
Bulk water supply and water reticulation has improved considerably. A request for funding for R10m was submitted to the Office of the Premier to undertake maintenance work required at the James Kleynhans Pump Station. The upgrade to the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works is being implemented by Amatole Water and after delays as a result of a dispute with contractors, the project is now going ahead. Water reticulation has stabilised and the Water Conservation and Demand Management Project yielded positive results.
In closing, I strongly believe that Makana will only become a great place to be if the Municipality and its stakeholders forge strong partnerships and work together to find solutions.