The Bhisho government has budgeted R130-million to help three ailing provincial municipalities.
This amount was allocated to Makana, Inkwanca and King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) municipalities, councils that have experienced various difficulties over the years.
This was revealed by premier Phumulo Masualle when he delivered his second state of the province address at the Bhisho legislature yesterday.
These three troubled municipalities have been placed under provincial government’s care after they proved to struggle to conduct day-to-day operations on their own.
Both Inkwanca and Makana municipalities are run by administrators appointed by the provincial government last year.
This after Inkwanca’s political leadership was dissolved by the province amid failure to deal with administration, as well as political, deficiencies.
In Makana, an administrator, Pam Yako, was appointed by cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa after that council experienced administration failures, largely as a result of critical vacancies.
Delivering his address to a packed marquee at legislature grounds, Masualle said the amount of R130-million allocated for provincial government intervention in these councils will be used to address institutional capacity, improvement of systems and the improvement of their dismal audit outcomes.
Masualle said some of the money would also be used by the three councils to settle their Eskom electricity debts and assist in pushing forward some of the infrastructure projects stalled as a result of instability and lack of finances.
The premier said that in order to help KSD back onto its feet, the municipality would continue to be supported through the presidential KSD revitalisation programme.
He revealed that the cumulative investment in this presidential programme had reached R7-billion, which he said comprised R3.7-billion worth of completed projects and R3.5-billion of ongoing projects.
“The main thrust of the programme is to focus on key catalytic programmes aimed at speeding up socio-economic development in the municipality,” said the premier.
He further revealed that 40 water and sanitation “multi-year contracts” to the tune of R1.5-billion had been awarded in KSD, with the expenditure to date standing at R650-million.
He said these projects would prioritise 999 villages in KSD which previously had no access to water services. “As the provincial government, we have a responsibility to support local government to ensure its functionality and viability.
“Our focus continues to be on the need to build and improve leadership and management capability of local government,” said Masualle.
He said going forward, government would focus on urging provincial municipalities “to go back to basics”.
“We want to ensure that our provincial municipalities prioritise and put people first.
“They must pay undivided attention to creating conditions for decent living by consistently delivering municipal services to the right quality and standard,” said Masualle.
He added that their conduct must be characterised by good governance, transparency and accountability.
“They must, at all times, ensure sound financial management and they must build and maintain sound institutional and administrative capabilities.”
Embattled municipalities receive R130m injection
This amount was allocated to Makana, Inkwanca and King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) municipalities, councils that have experienced various difficulties over the years.
This was revealed by premier Phumulo Masualle when he delivered his second state of the province address at the Bhisho legislature yesterday.
These three troubled municipalities have been placed under provincial government’s care after they proved to struggle to conduct day-to-day operations on their own.
Both Inkwanca and Makana municipalities are run by administrators appointed by the provincial government last year.
This after Inkwanca’s political leadership was dissolved by the province amid failure to deal with administration, as well as political, deficiencies.
In Makana, an administrator, Pam Yako, was appointed by cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa after that council experienced administration failures, largely as a result of critical vacancies.
Delivering his address to a packed marquee at legislature grounds, Masualle said the amount of R130-million allocated for provincial government intervention in these councils will be used to address institutional capacity, improvement of systems and the improvement of their dismal audit outcomes.
Masualle said some of the money would also be used by the three councils to settle their Eskom electricity debts and assist in pushing forward some of the infrastructure projects stalled as a result of instability and lack of finances.
The premier said that in order to help KSD back onto its feet, the municipality would continue to be supported through the presidential KSD revitalisation programme.
He revealed that the cumulative investment in this presidential programme had reached R7-billion, which he said comprised R3.7-billion worth of completed projects and R3.5-billion of ongoing projects.
“The main thrust of the programme is to focus on key catalytic programmes aimed at speeding up socio-economic development in the municipality,” said the premier.
He further revealed that 40 water and sanitation “multi-year contracts” to the tune of R1.5-billion had been awarded in KSD, with the expenditure to date standing at R650-million.
He said these projects would prioritise 999 villages in KSD which previously had no access to water services. “As the provincial government, we have a responsibility to support local government to ensure its functionality and viability.
“Our focus continues to be on the need to build and improve leadership and management capability of local government,” said Masualle.
He said going forward, government would focus on urging provincial municipalities “to go back to basics”.
“We want to ensure that our provincial municipalities prioritise and put people first.
“They must pay undivided attention to creating conditions for decent living by consistently delivering municipal services to the right quality and standard,” said Masualle.
He added that their conduct must be characterised by good governance, transparency and accountability.
“They must, at all times, ensure sound financial management and they must build and maintain sound institutional and administrative capabilities.”
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