City in a strong financial position

AFTER unveiling what the City of Johannesburg termed a “record budget” of R40-billion on Wednesday, the city now intends to take a multi-year capital budget of R30-billion to council to be approved.

In a sign of its increasingly strong financial position, the city says 65% of this money will come from its own revenue-generating abilities while the remaining 35% will come from grants. In the budget, the city allocated:

R21.9-billion to the sustainable services cluster, including a R17.3-billion capital expenditure budget, R136.6-million environment and infrastructure operating budget and R74.9-million to rehabilitate Bruma Lake;

A R634.1-million operating budget for housing which will see infrastructure development in Braamfischerville, Devland, Riverlea, Kliptown, Lufhereng and Lehae and other areas;

R121.8-million for the Johannesburg Social Housing Com- pany (Joshco) and a capital budget of R1.8-billion; R13.2-billion for City Power; R5.9-billion for Joburg Water, including R3.7-billion for projects in Orange Farm, Doornkop West, Protea Glen, Diepsloot, Alexandra and elsewhere;

R1.6-billion for refuse removal company Pikitup, including R526.5-million for new depots in Haylon Hill and Orange Farm;

R611.2-million for health as well as R162.1-million for projects including upgrading Ennerdale Clinic and building a new clinic at Freedom Park;

A R1-billion operating budget for transport and R3.1-billion for the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit route extension;

A R4.5-billion capital budget for the Johannesburg Roads Agency as well as a R736-million operating budget;

R101.8-million to Metrobus mainly for the acquisition of new buses as well as a R483.1million operating budget. –